Chongqing has expanded its drug rehabilitation efforts by introducing a collaborative model that involves government agencies, social organizations, and businesses to assist individuals recovering from drug addiction in reintegrating into society. On Friday, coinciding with the 39th International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, authorities launched a WeChat mini-program aimed at connecting people undergoing rehabilitation with employment and vocational training opportunities.
The mini-program, developed by the Jiangbei compulsory drug rehabilitation center, links users to over 40,000 companies offering approximately 130,000 job openings. The platform provides access to full-time and part-time positions, job recommendations, employer endorsements, and 24 government-funded training courses spanning fields such as catering, live streaming, computing, and nursing. Ai Jingkai, head of the center’s reintegration guidance division, emphasized that employment plays a crucial role in successful reintegration but noted that many recovering drug users face challenges due to limited job skills, scarce opportunities, and social stigma.
Huang, a 41-year-old resident at the Jiangbei center, expressed optimism about his future employment prospects through the platform, saying, “By around September next year, when I’m released, I think I’ll be confident about making a living.” The center, established in 1984 and recognized for maintaining a decade of safe and stable operations, began admitting male residents in June 2023 after serving primarily female drug users.
Additional initiatives were showcased during a series of events held Thursday and Friday to mark the occasion. Among these was the "Little Orange Lamp" family education service station, which combines rehabilitation services, family support, and community assistance. It offers public lectures, career counseling, and anti-drug education aimed at facilitating the societal reintegration of recovering individuals.
Xiao Rongning, director of Chongqing’s drug rehabilitation administration, highlighted the importance of drug prevention and rehabilitation in maintaining social stability and advancing the rule of law. The events also featured the appointment of community law enforcement supervisors, including local journalist Tan Jian, who pledged to promote transparency in rehabilitation work and publicize stories of scientific rehabilitation and humane management.
Chongqing has been a leader in rehabilitation innovation in recent years. In 2024, it introduced China’s first mobile application supporting voluntary drug rehabilitation by integrating medical and social services. The city has also focused on youth prevention efforts, organizing an anti-drug essay competition in April that drew participation from more than 10,000 students across nearly 200 schools.
On a national level, drug-related prosecutions have decreased significantly. Between January 2025 and May 2026, procuratorates prosecuted over 46,000 individuals for drug-related crimes, marking a 30 percent decline compared to the previous year, according to the Supreme People’s Procuratorate. This trend, along with Chongqing’s expanded rehabilitation initiatives, reflects ongoing efforts to address drug addiction through comprehensive prevention, support, and reintegration strategies.