China to intensify drug war

"Effective measures should be taken to prevent poisonous chemicals, clinic narcotics and mental illness drugs from flowing into illegal channels," said Zhou, also director of China's National Narcotics Control Commission.

Local governments have effectively eliminated a great number of heroin sources and greatly reduced the number of drug takers, Zhou said.

Police data showed that the number of drug takers in China grew35 percent since 2000 to hit 1.16 million in early 2005.

The number dropped to 720,400 in August of 2006 as a result of compulsory rehabilitation measures and strict checks on chemicals and narcotics, according to the Ministry of Public Security. SOURCE: Government of China