Nationwide campaign to curb youth drug abuse

China will continue to take proactive and comprehensive measures to address the abuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances among young people, the Office of the China National Narcotics Control Commission said on Wednesday.

The office said it will strengthen inter-agency coordination and take firm action to curb the spread of drug abuse among young people.

According to the office, the number of newly identified drug users under the age of 35 fell by 41.6 percent year-on-year in 2025, reflecting continued progress in youth drug prevention and control.

Gao Wei, deputy director of the office and deputy head of the narcotics control bureau of the Ministry of Public Security, said China will further strengthen targeted prevention campaigns to improve young people's awareness of drug identification, prevention and refusal.

From June to December this year, China will launch a nationwide public education campaign aimed at preventing youth drug and substance abuse, Gao said.

He noted that China has organized similar nationwide campaigns for two consecutive years. The efforts include school-based education, targeted outreach for youth vulnerable to drug involvement, online awareness campaigns, and coordinated "family-school-police" cooperation mechanisms, all designed to strengthen prevention among young people.

Authorities will also strengthen drug trend monitoring and analysis, improve addiction treatment services, and provide timely assistance to help recovering drug users reintegrate into society, he said.

Shan Yehua, also a deputy director of the office, said China has continuously strengthened monitoring and early warning systems for drug abuse. Based on scientific evaluation, authorities have promptly added newly identified harmful substances to national control lists to address emerging risks, particularly those affecting young people.

On Wednesday, the office announced that 16 substances will be added to the Catalogue of Non-Medical Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances from July 1.

She said the newly added substances were identified in 2025 as having significant abuse potential and a high risk of illicit diversion.

Among them, illegally manufactured tiletamine has been found in "zombie e-cigarettes" and widely abused by young people, with strong addictive effects and serious social harm.

Following the latest addition, China now controls a total of 412 non-medical narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, the office said.