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Drug officials warn about ecstasy pills
(Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2005-12-28 08:57
Shanghai drug authorities are warning people to be aware of pills with a
funny picture, such as a smiling banana, or words like "love" printed on them.
They look like cute mints, but are actually ecstasy.
Chinese volunteers
brave the rain to march against drugs in honor of anti drug day in
Beijing, China Sunday, June 26, 2005. Government said 10,000 people took
part in the march in the city's northwest.
[AP] | Officials from Shanghai Political and
Legislative Committee said they have seized a number of such pills during
crackdown in recent months.
"Ecstasy pills are mainly made in underground workshops, which just disguise
the pills as ordinary medicines or print funny pictures to attract youngsters,"
said Zhang Xiaoqun from the committee.
"The government has issued a recent rule to specially administrate new types
of drugs, which are popular in entertainment venues."
The rule specifically refers to ecstasy pills, methamphetamine and ketamine.
Users of those drugs account for 23 percent of all registered drug users in
the city, according to police.
So, venues providing dancing and singing are the main target of an anti-drug
campaign that started in the middle of November.
If people are found selling or using drugs in nightclubs or karaoke bars, the
venues will be shut down for six months and the owner will be fined up to
100,000 yuan (US$12,346), even if the bar wasn't involved in distributing the
drugs.
Repeat or serious offenders can lose their business license for good.
Owners can avoid punishment by tipping off police about any drug use on their
premises.
By November this year, local police have cracked 276 new drug-related cases
in local entertainment venues, netting 872 suspects and punishing 42 businesses
involved.
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