Court closes loophole used by illegal drug makers_美文

Court closes loophole used by illegal drug makers

Over the past five years, the number of drug cases has been increasing, reaching 69,244 in 2011, compared with 38,500 in 2007, according to the court.

In an effort to overcome the difficulties and close loopholes in management of chemicals that can be used to make drugs, Minister of Public Security Meng Jianzhu suggested lawmakers revise regulations and update the catalog of illicitly used chemicals at the bimonthly session of the National People's Congress Standing Committee on Tuesday.

In addition, Meng also suggested including illicit manufacturing and transporting of items used to make narcotics in the Criminal Law.

Questions:

1. What drug is now covered by the Criminal Law?

2. What is ephedrine?

3. How many drug cases were heard in Chinese courts this year?

Answers:

1. Ephedrine compounds.

2. It has legitimate pharmaceutical uses, but it is also the main ingredient in a class of illegal synthetic drugs, such as methamphetamine.

3. From January to May, 23,720 drug cases.

About the broadcaster:

Nelly Min is an editor at China Daily with more than 10 years of experience as a newspaper editor and photographer. She has worked at major newspapers in the U.S., including the Los Angeles Times and the Detroit Free Press. She is also fluent in Korean.