A national campaign against recreational drug use in entertainment venues has been launched and will run from September until November, according to a statement posted on the website of the Ministry of Public Security on Monday.

It said the sale and use of drugs such as methamphetamine (also known as ice) and ecstasy is increasingly evident in nightclubs, bars, karaoke lounges and other venues in recent years, but that many venue owners shelter dealers and users for the sake of profit.

The campaign has been jointly launched by the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the public security and culture ministries, the state administrations for industry & commerce and of radio, film & television and the National Narcotics Control Commission Office.

Widespread activities, including public education programs and training for entertainment venue staff, will be conducted to raise people's awareness of drugs.

Culture and public security authorities will also develop systems to monitor illegal activities in entertainment venues, and give warnings to their owners.

In seven cities including Beijing, Dalian, Wuhan and Guangzhou, a total of 10,000 venues will be asked to make commitments to become free of drug dealing and use.

Local media and citizens were encouraged to report drug related crimes through news release, tip-off calls or emails, and will be rewarded for doing so.

Officials will also be punished if problems persist in areas under their control.

About 3.5 tons of ice was seized by police on the mainland last year.

(China Daily, China.org.cn September 14, 2005)