China moves to help drug addicts get clean

HEFEI - China will create a national unified system for drug detoxification and rehabilitation as part of efforts to help drug addicts get clean, Vice Minister of Justice Liu Zhiqiang said Tuesday.

Liu made the remarks at a national symposium on drug detoxification held in Hefei, capital of East China's Anhui province.

The ministry recently issued a guideline requiring authorities to focus on professional rehabilitation centers, scientific drug detoxification and supportive measures.

The ministry will increase efforts to develop technologies and create technical norms and a standardized system for drug detoxification, Liu said.

The official said that the ministry will continue to support and guide community-based drug detoxification and rehabilitation programs.

China is home to 361 drug detoxification centers that are able to accommodate 320,000 drug addicts.