Karaoke bars and nightclubs will be held responsible if police find people using or selling drugs in them, the Shanghai Political and Legislative Committee announced yesterday.

Bars will be shut down for six months and fined 100,000 yuan (US$12,346) if drugs are found there, even if bar owners or managers are unaware of the problem. Bars that have repeated serious drug problems could lose their business licenses. If bar managers report drug problems to police ahead of detection, they won't face any punishment, the committee said.

In the past, bar owners didn't face any punishment if they ignored drug use, as long as they weren't involved in supplying the drugs, said Zhang Xiaoqun from the committee.

Officials wouldn't say how many of the more than 8,000 such venues in the city are havens for drug users, but did say discos seem to be the biggest problem. The drugs most commonly used at nightclubs are ecstasy, katimine and methamphetamine (or "ice"), authorities said.

The committee has sent a notice out to police, cultural market watchdogs and the Shanghai Commercial and Industrial Administrative Bureau, explaining the new rules. The notice also said cash rewards will be given to anyone reporting drug use in nightclubs. It didn't say how large the rewards would be, however.

Those with information can call 2402-3396 or 2565-2409.

"Entertainment venues must follow the law and prevent drug crime by themselves. The notice is a good way to clean up the market," said Zhu Nan, manager of Shanghai Jinbihuihuang KTV and Night Club.

(Shanghai Daily November 15, 2005)