Chinese police on Tuesday said they will ramp up drug control across the country by improving identification and management of addicts.
According to the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), local police will intensify surveying and testing efforts in order to identify and register drug users, especially among criminal suspects.
Addicts who refuse rehab treatment will be "dealt with in accordance with the law," and those with severe addiction will be forced into detox programs, the ministry said.
It said police should also step up officer training in vehicle and body search techniques and ensure that police weapons and equipment are used in line with the law.
Illegal drug use has ballooned in China in recent decades, and the ministry has reported a rise in violence related to drug use over the past few months.
The MPS said eight people have been killed and 12 injured since February in eight cases involving drug use.
In one case, an addict surnamed Mi killed his two brothers over "family disputes" and later fatally injured the girlfriend of his elder brother on April 15 of this year. Mi and his three victims were drug users.
