Pubdate: Mon, 27 Aug 2001
Source: New York Post (NY)
Copyright: 2001 N.Y.P. Holdings, Inc.
Contact:  http://nypostonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/296

CHINA PUTS SMACK-DOWN ON DRUGGIES

Drug busts in China skyrocketed more than 15 percent in the first half of 
the year, it was revealed yesterday.

The disturbing news came as China today kicks off a major anti-drug 
conference with its heroin-producing neighbors.

Police picked up more than 165,000 people for drug offenses - 28,000 of 
them on suspicion of producing or trafficking drugs, the official Xinhua 
News Agency said.

And seizures of opium more than doubled to 1.9 tons, while heroin seizures 
were up 75 percent - at 6.2 tons - compared to the first six months of last 
year.

Executions on drug-related offenses are up, too. Amnesty International 
estimates at least 1,457 were killed last year and more than 1,000 have 
been executed this year.

The upcoming anti-drug conference in Beijing brings together Chinese 
anti-drug officials and counterparts from Myanmar, Thailand and Laos.

The "Golden Triangle" region of the Southeast Asian nations accounts for 
much of the heroin smuggled into China.

After trying for years to conceal the extent of drug abuse, Chinese 
authorities have started cooperating with foreign governments in anti- drug 
efforts.

More than 66,000 addicts were sentenced to compulsory drug treatment, while 
11,000 were sent to labor camps, Xinhua said.

The report didn't give any details of those jailed, but most compulsory 
drug treatment in China is for heroin abuse.

Meanwhile, organizers of the University Games in Beijing have installed 
mirrors in their doping-control stations to stop athletes from tampering 
with urine specimens. The move is part of efforts by China's sports 
officials to prove their determination to stamp out drug use - rebuilding a 
reputation ruined by a string of doping scandals in the late 1990s.

Mirrors around toilets in urine-testing stations are aimed at stepping up 
scrutiny of athletes at the games, which run from Wednesday until Saturday.

"It is the first time to my knowledge that mirrors will be used for urine 
provision," said Yang Tianle, head of the anti-doping testing center.
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