Int'l Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking: Policeman spends decades helping young drug users in northern China

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The National Narcotics Control Committee says China has around 2.5 million drug users by the end of 2016, and the number has been on the rise. Nearly 60 percent of users are under the age of 35. And now China has nearly 360-thousand users in mandatory rehab centers. But in northern China's Shanxi Province, some addicts are benefitting from so much more. CGTN's Hu Chao explains.

It's a whole new beginning for 28-year old Wang Chao.

"WANG CHAO" FORMER DRUG USER "I was 17 years old when I first used drugs. It was out of curiosity and I didn't expect it could be so harmful."

This is Chao's second trip to this rehab center, barely two years removed from his first visit. Drug addiction had robbed him of everything.

"WANG CHAO" FORMER DRUG USER "Last time, I still didn't quit the addition psychologically. Drugs still had a big appeal to me."

But they're less appealing to Chao today, thanks to the help of this man, Zhang Junhe. Most in Zhang's position would arrest and incarcerate drug users like Chao. But that wasn't the case.

"WANG CHAO" FORMER DRUG USER "He has already become a family member of mine. He's given me so much."

Zhang, a police officer, not only helped Chao take care of his family during his first stay, he bought him a nice guitar.

ZHANG JUNHE, CHIEF OF EDUCATION DEPT. SHANXI PROVINCIAL COMPULSORY REHAB CENTER "He's a natural singer. If not for using drugs, I think he could have become a great singer. I didn't expect that he would relapse. But I won't give him up.”

HU CHAO TAIYUAN "High drug relapse rates remain a problem worldwide. Preventing relapses starts with continuous care and constant supervision after rehab. While most communities in China can't offer much help, many warm-hearted police officers have offered continuous care for former drug users, helping them start a truly new life."

In the past two decades, Zhang has helped more than 500 drug users, and continues to do so. He respects them as friends and family members, spending much of his personal time travelling to visit them after their rehab. He also helps them find new jobs and get re-integrated into society.

ZHANG JUNHE, CHIEF OF EDUCATION DEPT. SHANXI PROVINCIAL COMPULSORY REHAB CENTER "Acts of kindness can help change a person's fate and a family's fate. This is how meaningful and worthwhile our work is."

The sincere efforts from Zhang and his colleagues have encouraged many to quit drugs successfully. A recent survey found the rate of those quitting following time in the rehab center increased to 23%, up 6% from five years ago.

Chao thinks about his family most when he plays guitar. In a letter he wrote to himself in the future, he said he doesn't want much. Just to quit drugs forever and live a normal life with his family. Hu Chao, CGTN, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province.