Center's caring culture helping addicts kick drug habit

When staff members at the Nanfeng Drug Rehabilitation Center hold a birthday party for a HIV-positive drug addict, they don't just shake their hand, they hug them.

The gesture is aimed at helping addicts adapt to life at the facility and break the stigma surrounding their condition, according to Hong Yongrui, captain of the center's third police brigade.

"Many addicts feel anxious and uncomfortable when they arrive, so we show them patience and care to calm them down," he said. "We have to let them know they'll never be discriminated against at the center."