Guangdong drug users seek new highs with novel chemicals

New types of drugs such as ice, ketamine and ecstasy have surpassed traditional drugs in popularity among users in Guangdong province, a senior drug enforcement officer said on Monday.

"Last year was the first time the number of people using modern narcotics in the province was higher than those using traditional varieties," Wang Junke, director of drug enforcement for Guangdong Public Security Department, told a news conference in Guangzhou on Monday.

Guangdong has more than 310,000 registered drug addicts, one-sixth of the nationwide total, Wang said, adding that the proportion taking new types of drugs accounted for more than 60 percent.