State Councilor Zhou Yongkang on Tuesday called for drugs control to be a key component of the public management and social service of the government.

Drugs control is part of the national plan of economic and social development and should not be viewed an extra burden, said Zhou, also member of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee, at the general session of the National Narcotics Control Commission held on Tuesday.

Care and assistance -- not discrimination and isolation -- should be given to drug abusers. Drugs control should involve the law, culture, education and medication, said Zhou, who chairs the narcotics control commission.

The establishment of drug rehabilitation centers is a new and major step in strengthening control. New rehabilitation processes, involving forced addiction-breaking, recovery and a return to society, need to be explored, he said.

Speaking highly of the achievement of the "people's war" in fighting drugs last year, Zhou called on governments at all levels to make more breakthroughs this year and encourage more people to become involved.

(Xinhua News Agency June 21, 2006)