China marked UN anti-drug day by executing 64 people...

China marked UN anti-drug day by executing 64 people accused of drug crimes.Many of the executions came immediately after public rallies where thousands watched judges condemn the accused.
China usually marks International Anti-Drug Day on June 26 with a wave of publicised executions, underscoring the authorities' belief that harsh punishments are an effective weapon against the spread of drugs. UN officials have said they do not condone the practice.
Another 188 people also accused of drug crimes were given prison terms of up to life at the rallies. The biggest number of executions came in the south-western city of Chongqing, where 24 people were shot on June 26 for drug crimes. The report said most of those executed were found guilty of trafficking heroin.
Executions in China are usually by gunshot to the back of the head or through the heart. In Shanghai three men were executed after being condemned in front of a 1,000 strong crowd for smuggling, heroin, Ecstasy and crystal methamphetamine - also known as ice, according to a spokesman for the Shanghai Higher People's Court, which organised the rally.
Drug use was all but wiped out after the Communist Party swept to power in 1949. Dealers were shot and addicts forced to quit "cold turkey". Drugs returned with relaxed social and economic controls in the 1980s. China had more than 900,000 drug addicts as of the end of 2001, state media reported.