Targeted approach

Figures provided by the Ministry of Public Security show that there were 2.55 million registered drug addicts in China last year, a rise of 2 percent from 2016.

Cao said that faced with such a large number of addicts, the justice department is focusing on using both comprehensive and targeted methods to greatly improve the effectiveness and success of compulsory detoxification programs.

He added that the rehabilitation department is paying great attention to implementing a unified method of treating addiction nationwide.

This includes medical treatment, education and psychological care, rehabilitative training and diagnostic evaluation to "regulate the methods used in rehabilitation centers and establish a standardized system to test the effects of detoxification".

Moreover, the department will focus on classifying addicts based on their history of abuse and the severity of their addiction, and use targeted measures to help them quit drugs completely, he said.