THE number of registered domestic drug abusers over the last year reached 900,000 in China, but the most severe condition facing the nation is the soaring number of young drug users, which account for 80 per cent of the number, with 10,000 being under the age of 16, according to statistics from Ministry of Public Security.

Although most of them have quit school, some still remain and may negatively influence other students, the Beijing-based Star Daily reported.

To complicate the problem, drug users are more vulnerable to the HIV virus than ordinary people. Because their immune system has gradually been damaged by drug abuse, they are the group most vulnerable to contract diseases. Further, drug users ignore hygiene when using needles, which results in exposure to tainted blood.

Just before June 26, International Day Against Drug Abuse & Ilicit Trafficking, the intermediate court in Shenzhen of Guangdong Province sentenced more than 19 people to death with reprieve, life imprisonment, and two have been executed.

While the police force in Fujian Province are working hard to crack down on criminals involved in drug trafficking and selling drugs.

"The methods to solve the problem must involve more than catching drug traffickers and executing them, which is of little use. I think that we should pay more attention to educating our youth not to be drawn to the trap of drugs," said authorities from the Ministry of Education and Ministry Public Security.

The main theme for this year is: "Treasure life, stay away from drugs." (Star News)