China encourages voluntary drug rehabs

In early July, Chinese authorities issued a guideline for the country's anti-narcotics work. It stated that China will encourage voluntary drug rehabilitation, and provide more treatment options for drug addicts. Our reporter Wu Lei visited China's first voluntary drug rehab hospital in southern Guangzhou city, and filed this report.

24-year-old A Kang took crystal meth for 4 years. This March, he finally decided to come to this voluntary drug rehab to receive treatment.

"I have a wife and two children. Drugs have destroyed the families of most drug users. I don't want to lose my family and whole life," A Kang said.

This is A Kang's second time in rehab. Although it costs 15-thousand yuan for 15 days, he feels it's helpful.

"Besides careful medical treatment, doctors also give us relevant psychological treatment through different activities. They monitor our daily physical and mental condition," A Kang said.

Since 2000, Guangzhou Baiyun Voluntary Drug Rehab Hospital has received over 30-thousand drug users.

Some of them have never been in rehab before, while others come directly from compulsory drug rehab facilities seeking further medical and psychological help.

There were over a dozen voluntary rehab in Guangdong Province in the past. But now there are only three left.

"After years of development, voluntary drug rehabs have hit a barrier. All the voluntary institutions are self-financing, without particular funds from the government. As many drug users have been sent to compulsory rehabs, it is difficult for voluntary rehabs to survive," Yang Yong, director of Guangzhou Baiyun Voluntary Drug Rehab Hospital, said.

There are about 100 voluntary drug rehabs across the nation, but official statistics show that China now has over 2.5 million drug users.

While China is regulating compulsory rehabilitation facilities, more financial support and flexible policies are expected in the voluntary drug rehab services.