China is home to more than two million drug users, according to the 2018 China Drug Report. While the number of new users dropped by over 26 percent since 2017, many are still in need of help. Of the 280,000 drug users in compulsory rehab centers, some are turning their lives around.
Located in the northern city of Taiyuan, the Shanxi Provincial Compulsory Rehab Center for Women is home to hundreds of former drug users. Nearly half of them are mothers. They have to spend two years in the center as they try to get clean. Their family can visit them.
Zhang Hong (not her real name) got addicted to drugs after using them along with her husband in 2009. She's in rehab for the second time. With both parents becoming addicts, their 13-year-old daughter is being taken care of by her grandparents. Knowing what happened to her parents, the girl now has a dark outlook on life.
A former drug user draws her thoughts, a new psychotherapy to help her quit drugs. /CGTN Photo
"After coming here the second time, my daughter refused to visit or speak to me. She also gave up her favorite hobby of dancing," Zhang said.
But Zhang's daughter quitting dancing after ten years of taking classes is not the only consequence to the parent's drug addiction. The family spent its savings on drugs, and Zhang's relationship with her mother has been strained. The mother is now disappointed in her daughter and seriously ill.
Zhang said she regrets using drugs. "I miss my mother and daughter the most, and I am so sorry to both of them. I'm determined to quit drugs this time. Or else, I will have no family. My child will leave me and my parents won't be happy or live long."
Former drug users take part in a diabolo competition in the Shanxi Provincial Rehab Center for Women. /CGTN Phto
The compassion and care Zhang has received from the rehab center personnel are another drive for her to make a change.
Lei Hongzhen is one of 100 police officers who have been taking care of the former drug users in the rehab center.
Zhang recalls the moment she felt compassion. "Lei stayed with me in the hospital when I was having a surgery. I felt so scared then. She held my hand and comforted me the whole time."
Former drug users practice vocational skills in the Shanxi Provincial Rehab Center for Women. /CGTN Photo
Lei has developed close ties with Zhang, with the latter saying she considers her as a family member.
"We call her Mother Lei. She's just like our 'mother.' She takes care of all aspects of our lives here," Zhang said.
Lei noted, "I treat them as my own children, regardless of whether they're older or younger than me."
"No matter how busy she is, she always makes time to listen to us and talk to us. She always comforts us during our mood swings and helps to solve family problems," Zhang added.
Lei hopes two years in the rehab center can help former drug users make a real change, "They made mistakes in the past and often feel helpless. I hope I can help them to be happy and achieve progress in quitting drugs and making different choices in the future," said Lei.