[ad_1]
"It is well known that most new psychoactive substances (NPS) have been designed in laboratories in the US and Europe, and their treatment and consumption in depth," said Liu Yuejin, Deputy Director of the Commission. Chinese National Narcotics Control Board. , at a press conference, Monday.
"The United States should adopt a comprehensive and balanced strategy to reduce and eliminate the huge demand for fentanyl and other similar drugs in the country as soon as possible," said Liu, who coincided with the release of China's annual report on Drugs.
NPS includes "synthetic drugs" such as fentanyl, an inexpensive synthetic opioid at least 50 times more potent than the heroin that has invaded the United States.
"Broad and effective cooperation"
A report from the 2017 congress labeled China as the main source of fentanyl in the United States, citing law enforcement and drug investigators.
Answering CNN's question about China's plans to limit the sale and shipping of fentanyl to the US, Liu listed the steps that US authorities should take, ranging from intensification of prevention campaigns for better treatment and assistance for drug users.
"The United States should step up its crackdown on drug dealers, traffickers and criminal networks," he added. "He should investigate and arrest more offenders."
During his state visit to China last November, Trump addressed the issue with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, the two leaders agreeing to strengthen mutual cooperation in the fight against narcotic crimes.
On Monday, Chinese officials stressed the "broad and effective cooperation" between the two countries.
Liu highlighted a series of cross-border trafficking cases by both sides, and highlighted Beijing's latest efforts to intercept drugs destined for the United States in major ports.
He also reiterated Beijing's long-standing stance that China, in a "proactive and responsible" spirit, has registered 138 NPS – including 23 fentanyl analogues – as controlled substances even though these drugs are not widely used in China. inside its borders.
Report warns of new fast-growing drugs
In its annual report on drugs released Monday, China indicates that the number of drug addicts in the country from 1.4 billion people has increased by nearly 2% in 2017 to 2.55 million, but the growth rate has decreased .
The use of synthetic drugs and opioids accounted for the overwhelming majority of cases.
The report warns against the rapid emergence of new drugs, including those made of uncontrolled chemicals, as well as persistent threats of Internet sales and cross-border trafficking – citing more than 1,600 arrests of foreign suspects .
In the United States, since 1999, the number of overdose deaths involving opioids has quadrupled.
From 2000 to 2015, more than half a million people died from drug overdoses, with opioids accounting for the majority of them and killing more Americans each year than breast cancer.
Representatives of the US embassy – as well as diplomats from other countries – attended Monday's press conference but did not speak.
Liu, a top Chinese official, dismissed suggestions that increasingly precarious Sino-US relations, marked by a recurring trade war, could hinder bilateral efforts on the fentanyl problem.
"When it comes to a matter of principle such as international drug control cooperation, we will not let it be affected or disrupted by other political and economic factors," she said. he said. "We hope that other countries, including the United States, would do the same thing."
Source link
