Domestic consumption of drugs is becoming `more serious...

Domestic consumption of drugs is becoming `more serious with each passing day', according to an official white paper, which acknowledges that `the situation is grim for the anti-drug struggle.' The white paper says that since the late 1970s when Chinese frontiers became easier to cross, `the illicit international narcotics tide has constantly invaded China, and criminal drug-related activities touched off by transit drug trafficking have re-emerged.' The number of registered addicts has risen from 148,000 in 1991 to 681,000 last year. China metes out the death penalty to anyone convicted of trafficking 50 grams (1.764 ounces) or more of heroin.