More drugs to be added to controlled substances list

China will add 46 new psychoactive substances to its list of controlled substances from the beginning of next month as it intensifies efforts to combat drug manufacture, trafficking and abuse, the China National Narcotics Control Commission announced recently ahead of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which is on Wednesday.

The country maintains one of the world's most extensive lists of scheduled drugs and chemicals, with strict controls in place. The NNCC said that after July 1 a total of 510 narcotic and psychotropic substances, including 234 new psychoactive substances, a full range of fentanyl-related substances, synthetic cannabis compounds and 38 precursor chemicals, will be regulated.

The commission noted the ongoing challenges posed by synthetic drugs like methamphetamine and new psychoactive substances, highlighting the emergence of new varieties and trafficking methods. China is addressing significant issues, such as the influx of foreign drugs and cross-border trafficking, by gathering intelligence, dismantling trafficking networks and combating activities related to synthetic drugs through special operations.

Enhanced chemical control measures have been implemented to curb drug manufacturing problems from the root. The measures include stricter monitoring and regulation of production, distribution, storage, transportation, import and export processes for precursor chemicals, as well as product labeling and tracing mechanisms to prevent illegal diversions. In the past year, approximately 938 metric tons of scheduled precursor chemicals were confiscated across China, marking a 42.2 percent increase from the previous year.

This year, China has intensified efforts to control the sources of precursor chemicals for drug manufacture, adding 24 substances to its list of controlled chemicals. In response to the proliferation of new types of drugs, especially new psychoactive substances, it has adopted a comprehensive strategy involving monitoring, legal scheduling, administrative oversight, law enforcement and public education.

China has added 14 narcotic and psychotropic substances to its controlled substances schedule since last year and conducted special operations targeting illegal activities involving fentanyl, etomidate and nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. To combat misuse, the NNCC has collaborated with other departments to enhance the regulation of these substances and their alternatives, incorporating prevention into youth drug education programs.

Special operations targeting fentanyl-related substances have led to the closure of 14 online platforms, 332 corporate accounts and 1,016 online stores, and the removal of over 146,000 pieces of related information. This has significantly cut down advertisements of fentanyl precursor chemicals. Information on overseas fentanyl precursor advertisements has been shared with authorities in the United States to facilitate their removal.

The NNCC said China remains committed to equitable and mutually beneficial narcotics-control cooperation with other countries, improving its narcotics control mechanism, and actively engaging in international initiatives. A China-US narcotics-control cooperation working group was formed in January, and since November last year, senior officials and working teams from both countries have engaged in frequent interactions, achieving positive outcomes in substance control, case cooperation, anti-money laundering, technical exchanges, the removal of online drug-related marketing information and multilateral engagements.

Joint investigations of key cases are underway between China and the US, with breakthroughs in some instances. Technical experts have resumed regular exchanges, with online and offline meetings producing positive results. The NNCC said both sides will continue to consolidate and advance practical cooperation in drug control.

yangzekun@chinadaily.com.cn