CHINESE POLICIES/PRACTICES RE DRUG USE – A "REALITY CHECK":

China has received much praise for a seemingly pragmatic, enlightened, evidence-based response to drug use – particularly its very rapid expansion of needle/syringe exchange and methadone maintenance facilities. Alas, there’s a darker side to the picture: more “detoxification” and “re-education” centres, a goal of locking up ever more drug users, and more police surveillance and harassment of those seeking the public health services. Findings of a recent study by Human Rights Watch are summarized as “… a sobering reality check to reports heralding China's 'bold steps to scale up' HIV prevention and treatment. They remind us … that seemingly progressive public health policies cannot fully be effective when carried out within a context of punishment and fear." See: China's paradoxical policies on HIV and drug use threaten health at
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-12/plos-cpp120208.php