China's registered drug users top 2 mln

China's Ministry of Public Security said Tuesday that the number of registered drug users has reached 2.14 million in the country as of the end of March.

About 83.6 percent of those drug users are male. In terms of age, over half of drug users are aged between 19 and 35, with 44.3 percent are 36 to 59, 0.7 percent are youngsters and teens under 18 while 0.6 percent are over 60.

Based on an analysis of data collected over the past three years, the percentage of drug users addicted to opioids fell from 70.5 percent in 2010 to 60.6 percent in 2012, according to the ministry.

Another change involved a rise in synthetic drug users. This group accounted for 72.6 percent of the total registered drug users in 2012, up from 55.6 percent in 2010.

Meanwhile, synthetic drug abuse rates are higher among younger users, the ministry said, adding that 86.5 percent of drug users under 18 abuse synthetic drugs.

China views drug users not only as criminals, but also as victims and patients. In a bid to educate drug users and help them live drug-free lives, the country registers drug users and arranges regular police visits with them.