Beijing has seen an increase in drug crimes and could have as many as 150,000 drug users, said a Beijing court.
Since 2014, Beijing courts have handled 2,314 drug crime cases and punished 2,365 criminals, according to data released by the Beijing Higher People's Court on Wednesday.
There were 470 more drug crime cases handled by Beijing courts in 2014, or a 40 percent increase from 2013, said Sun Li, vice president of the court.
Beijing has 31,000 registered drug users, but the actual number is closer to 150,000, according to the Beijing Narcotics Control Commission.
Drug crimes are spreading, with cases involving students, performers and foreigners, said Jiang Liangdong, head of the commission and deputy head of the Beijing Public Security Bureau.
In 2014, Beijing police arrested more than 100 minors, dozens of celebrities and over 80 foreigners in their drug campaign. Nearly 70 drug users were arrested in 60 entertainment venues in the city.
The public has also been encouraged to join the campaign.
Police received 1,500 tip-offs this year, 240 of which were confirmed and led to 260 arrests.
China had 2.95 million registered drug addicts at the end of 2014, but the real number is likely to exceed 14 million, the Ministry of Public Security said Wednesday.
