Police forces will be provided with high-tech equipment, and China's intelligence networks are to be improved to curb drug-trafficking, Jia added.

He told a plenary meeting of the National Narcotic Control Commission that China will increase cooperation with foreign nations, especially neighboring countries such as Laos and Myanmar, to tackle the drug problem at its root and also research substitute crops.

Some 67,500 drug-trafficking suspects were caught in the country during the first 11 months of the year, an increase of 10,000 from the number for the whole of the previous year, according to the ministry.

Between January and November, the police cracked down on 97,800 drug cases and seized 12.3 tons of heroin, 4.6 tons of met amphetamine or "ice," 2.3 tons of opium, 1.87 million ecstasy tablets and 102 tons of chemical raw materials for making drugs, said Bai Jingfu, deputy director of the commission.

Led by the Ministry of Public Security, the commission is authorized to fight against drug production and distribution in cooperation with other sectors such as the education, intelligence, customs, legislative and health sectors.

As the number of drug-trafficking cases increases, drug consumption has been recorded in 2,051 counties, cities and districts, said Bai, who is also deputy minister of public security.

He added that, between January and October, the number of drug addicts registered by police bureau reached 901,000 nationwide. Of those, 745,000 were known heroin users, he added.

"The abuse of ecstasy at some entertainment centers in many medium- and large-sized cities has become increasingly serious," Bai said.

The continued prevalence of drug abuse is resulting in an increased number of illegal activities, crimes and all sorts of social problems, said the official.

Police statistics indicate more than 30 percent of robberies and burglary cases were committed by drug addicts or related to drug-trafficking.

Under China's Criminal Code, those found smuggling more than 50 grams of heroin can be sentenced to death.

People found to have used drugs can be detained for up to 15 days and courts can order drug addicts to undergo compulsory treatment.

Between January and October, 286,000 drugs users underwent treatment in drug-rehabilitation centers across China.

Also in the first 10 months of this year, 28,000 new cases of AIDS were reported. Bai said that, in two-thirds of these cases, the patients had become infected through intravenous drug use.

Minister Jia called on all the relevant departments to spare no efforts to control the spread of drug abuse and help addicts away from drugs.

He also called for particular attention to be given to the production of chemical raw materials used in the manufacture of narcotics.

(China Daily December 31, 2001)