Beijing Targets Bars to Eradicate Party Drugs Ahead of Olympics

Police in China's capital will secretly search bars for drug traffickers and addicts in an attempt to eradicate party drug use ahead of the Olympic Games, state media said on Thursday.

Bars where foreigners and young people gather will be targeted in the campaign, Xinhua news agency cited the head of the Beijing police drug-control department, Zhao Wenzhong, as saying.

"Foreign and youth-oriented bars are becoming a popular venue of drug smuggling and consumption," he said, according to Xinhua.

"The campaign is aimed at creating a drug-free environment for the grand sports event to be held here in August."

Traffickers and users are gradually moving from large entertainment venues and urban areas to smaller ones to avoid being caught, Zhao said.

Earlier this month, police roughed up foreign youngsters in a well-publicised drug raid in Sanlitun, one of the favourite partying districts for expatriates in Beijing.

An official report quoted police as saying ecstasy, marijuana and other drugs were seized during the operation, and that 20 drug traffickers and consumers were arrested, including eight foreigners.

But parents described to AFP how the youths were mistreated, with their heads covered in plastic bags and kept bent low throughout their detention.

One mother said at least one teenager had a pistol pointed at his head.

Source-AFP
SRM/L