BEIJING, June 19 (Xinhua) -- By the end of 2023, the number of drug users in China stood at 896,000, marking a 20bingoblitzfree.3 percent decrease compared to the previous year, according to an official report.

The 2023 situation report was issued by the office of China National Narcotics Control Commission on Wednesday.

In 2023, there were 4.078 million individuals who had successfully abstained from drug use for three years, representing a 7.6 percent increase compared to the previous year, says the report.

According to a report, the country cracked a total of 42,000 drug-related criminal cases in 2023, apprehending 65,000 suspects and seizing 25.9 tonnes of various types of drugs.

In addition, a total of 938.5 tonnes of precursor chemicals used in drug production were seized nationwide in 2023, marking a 42.2 percent increase year on year.

Since the beginning of 2024, China has strengthened control over the sources of precursor chemicals used in the production of drugs, adjusted the list of controlled chemical substances exported to specific countries and regions, and added 24 new controlled substances to the list.

Wei Xiaojun, executive deputy director of the office, said that the overall situation regarding drugs in China is manageable.

The narcotics control authorities will continue to improve the drug control system and actively engage in international cooperation in drug control, said Wei, who is also head of the narcotics control bureau of the Ministry of Public Security.■