{"id":19513,"date":"2025-06-28T16:36:31","date_gmt":"2025-06-28T15:36:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/?p=19513"},"modified":"2025-06-28T16:36:31","modified_gmt":"2025-06-28T15:36:31","slug":"commentary-from-global-consensus-to-local-action-chinas-strategic-response-to-emerging-drug-use-trends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/2025\/06\/commentary-from-global-consensus-to-local-action-chinas-strategic-response-to-emerging-drug-use-trends\/","title":{"rendered":"Commentary:\u00a0From Global Consensus to Local Action: China\u2019s Strategic Response to Emerging Drug Use Trends"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"common-top\">\n<div class=\"top\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"clear\">\n<div class=\"logo fl\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/weekly.chinacdc.cn\/style\/web\/images\/custom\/logo.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"fr logor\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-pc\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<div class=\"article-main\">\n<div class=\"inner clear content\">\n<div class=\"article-main-mid fl\">\n<div class=\"articleNav\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Article Navigation<\/strong>\u00a0&gt;\u00a0\u00a0<span class=\"jounralName\">China CDC Weekly<\/span> &#8211; <span class=\"aIssue\">2025, July (26): 877-879<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"article-left\">\n<div class=\"articleEn\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">by Haoliang Cui<sup class=\"authorTag\"><span class=\"com-num\" data-tagval=\"1\">1<\/span><\/sup>;\u00a0\u00a0Jianyi Zhang<sup class=\"authorTag\"><span class=\"com-num\" data-tagval=\"1\">1<\/span><\/sup>;\u00a0\u00a0Wenkai Luo<sup class=\"authorTag\"><span class=\"com-num\" data-tagval=\"1\">1<\/span><\/sup>;\u00a0\u00a0Erri Du<sup class=\"authorTag\"><span class=\"com-num\" data-tagval=\"2\">2<\/span><\/sup>;\u00a0\u00a0Zhongwei Jia<sup class=\"authorTag\"><span class=\"com-num\" data-tagval=\"1\">1<\/span>,<\/sup> , and Corresponding Author Zhongwei Jia, jiazw@bjmu.edu.cn\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">Author affiliations<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"article-tab-box tab-content\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul id=\"affiliations\" class=\"about-author\">\n<li class=\"article-author-address\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\"><span class=\"\">1. &#8211; D<\/span>epartment of Global Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-author-address\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\"><span class=\"\">2. &#8211; <\/span>SILC Business School, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p id=\"41fc3499-d76d-4320-97bc-fa43df17c388\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">The recognition of drug use as a global challenge requiring coordinated international response began with the first international conference on narcotic drugs held in Shanghai in 1909. Throughout the 20th century, three pivotal United Nations (UN) conventions on drug control (1961, 1971, and 1988) established the legal and institutional framework for a comprehensive multilateral system addressing prevention and enforcement. The creation of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in 1997 further underscored the widespread nature of drug-related challenges confronting societies worldwide (<span class=\"xref\">1<\/span>&#8211;<span class=\"xref\">2<\/span>).<\/span><\/p>\n<p id=\"a5362421-b312-43e4-a922-2b217b4cf5bb\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">As nations develop more sophisticated approaches to addressing global drug challenges, international surveillance data continue to underscore both the magnitude of the problem and the critical importance of prevention strategies. The global population using drugs has reached 292 million in 2022, representing a 20% increase over the past decade (<span class=\"xref\">3<\/span>). Particularly concerning is the finding that cannabis use prevalence among adolescents aged 15\u201316 years exceeds that of adults worldwide (<span class=\"xref\">3<\/span>). It was estimated that 84 million adults aged 15\u201364 in Europe had used cannabis at least once, including approximately 15.3 million young adults aged 15\u201334 based on the\u00a0<i>European Drug Report 2023<\/i>. (<span class=\"xref\">4<\/span>). Similarly, in 2022, an estimated 70.3 million individuals aged 12 or older in the United States reported illicit drug use within the past year, with peak prevalence occurring among young adults aged 18 to 25. These statistics demonstrate the urgent need for targeted prevention investments, particularly among youth populations (<span class=\"xref\">5<\/span>).<\/span><\/p>\n<p id=\"b8c75337-23eb-4df3-b9be-55c8b4922441\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">China has actively contributed to and responded to these global drug control initiatives. The Anti-Drug Law of the People\u2019s Republic of China (<span class=\"xref\">6<\/span>) was enacted in 2007, establishing a comprehensive triadic strategy that encompasses prevention, punishment, and rehabilitation. Following the law\u2019s implementation, the number of newly identified drug users increased steadily, reaching its peak in 2015 (<span class=\"xref\">Figure 1<\/span>). However, a series of national initiatives \u2014 including the \u201cPeople\u2019s War on Drugs,\u201d the \u201cSword Action\u201d (Liangjian Project), and the deployment of \u201cSkynet\u201d surveillance systems \u2014 led to a significant decrease in newly identified drug users. This decline was particularly pronounced during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, when the number of newly found drug users experienced a sharp drop (<span class=\"xref\">Figure 1<\/span>).<\/span><\/p>\n<p id=\"c77c239b-b1d3-4f15-a5cf-cd19f62e452e\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">The theme of this year\u2019s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking \u2014 \u201cThe evidence is clear: invest in prevention, Break the cycle, Stop Organized Crime\u201d (<span class=\"xref\">7<\/span>) \u2014 underscores the public health nature of the drug problem and emphasizes the critical importance of preventive measures (<span class=\"xref\">Figure 2<\/span>). The evolution of these annual themes reflects a fundamental shift in global attitudes toward drug policy. From 1996 to 2009, themes primarily emphasized the dangers and harmful consequences of drug use. The second stage (2010 to 2015) began treating the drug problem as a public health issue rather than solely a criminal justice matter. Since 2016, the focus has shifted toward prevention, early intervention, and youth-centered strategies, reflecting a more comprehensive and evidence-based approach to drug policy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p id=\"406bf9eb-00a4-44c2-bd45-911e816aba04\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">Nevertheless, emerging risks continue to challenge existing frameworks. Recent cases of adolescent substance abuse involving compounds not yet under formal regulatory control, such as nitrous oxide and etomidate, have been documented across China (<span class=\"xref\">8<\/span>). Since January 2021, Guangzhou in Guangdong Province has implemented targeted enforcement measures against nitrous oxide distribution, resulting in 46 investigated cases by June 2022 (<span class=\"xref\">9<\/span>). These novel psychoactive substances present distinct challenges due to their accessibility through online platforms, ambiguous legal classification, and limited public awareness \u2014 particularly among adolescents. In response to these evolving threats, the Ministry of Justice issued a national directive in early 2025 emphasizing \u201cintensified drug prevention campaigns targeting adolescents\u201d (<span class=\"xref\">10<\/span>). Through strategic investments in early education programs, enhanced cross-sector collaboration, and implementation of evidence-based policy frameworks, China is proactively adapting its approach to address the dynamic landscape of emerging drug-related risks.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"References-list\" class=\"navTitle\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/2025\/06\/commentary-from-global-consensus-to-local-action-chinas-strategic-response-to-emerging-drug-use-trends\/china-drug-prevalence\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-19514\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-19514\" src=\"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/China-drug-prevalence.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1040\" height=\"474\" srcset=\"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/China-drug-prevalence.jpg 1040w, https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/China-drug-prevalence-640x292.jpg 640w, https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/China-drug-prevalence-1024x467.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/China-drug-prevalence-768x350.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1040px) 100vw, 1040px\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul id=\"myTabContent\" class=\"article-tab-box tab-content\">\n<li id=\"figTab\" class=\"article-box article-chart\">\n<div class=\"_figclass figure\">\n<div class=\"figureTextBox\">\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"figureTitle\">\n<p class=\"figTabSpan\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\"><span id=\"Figure1\" class=\"FigText\"><b>FIGURE\u00a01.<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Trends in newly identified drug users in China, 2007\u20132022.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">Note: Data from 2007 to 2013 were sourced from the\u00a0<i>Drug Abuse Population Estimation in the Key Cities of the Ministry of Public Security<\/i>, while data from 2014 to 2022 were obtained from the respective annual editions of the\u00a0<i>Drug Situation in China<\/i> report.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"trendmd-suggestions\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\"><ins class=\"cHBSfwAjBC2\" data-revops-suggestions=\"3e5a7302-d564-4cc2-b633-47ca72a09457\" data-index=\"0\" data-rendered=\"true\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"cGHzs7mykgJ\" data-id=\"3e5a7302-d564-4cc2-b633-47ca72a09457-0\" data-isinview=\"true\"><\/div>\n<p><\/ins><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-main-right fr\">\n<div class=\"article-right\">\n<div class=\"article-detail-right\">\n<div class=\"article-metrics\">\n<div class=\"trend-right-list\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Associated Information:<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"common-bottom\">\n<div class=\"footer\">\n<div class=\"btmt\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">All content is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License 4.0 (CC BY-NC).<\/span><\/p>\n<div><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">\u4eacICP\u590711024750\u53f7-1\u00a0\u4eac\u516c\u7f51\u5b89\u5907 11011402013007<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bottom\">\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">No.155 Changbai Road, Changping District, Beijing 102206, China<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">Tel\uff1a+86-10-63150701<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\">Supported by:\u00a0Beijing Renhe Information Technology Co., Ltd.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Source:\u00a0 https:\/\/weekly.chinacdc.cn\/en\/article\/doi\/10.46234\/ccdcw2025.145<\/strong>\u00a0\u2003<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Article Navigation\u00a0&gt;\u00a0\u00a0China CDC Weekly &#8211; 2025, July (26): 877-879 by Haoliang Cui1;\u00a0\u00a0Jianyi Zhang1;\u00a0\u00a0Wenkai Luo1;\u00a0\u00a0Erri Du2;\u00a0\u00a0Zhongwei Jia1, , and Corresponding Author Zhongwei Jia, jiazw@bjmu.edu.cn\u00a0 Author affiliations 1. &#8211; Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China 2. &#8211; SILC Business School, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China The recognition of drug use as a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[129,68,20,119,40,36],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19513","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-culture","category-drug-use-various-effects","category-others","category-prevalence","category-prevention-research","category-treatment-addiction"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19513","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19513"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19513\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19513"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19513"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19513"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}