China's new drug users under the age of 35 fell by more than 40 percent year on year in 2025, Chinese anti-narcotics authorities said on Wednesday, noting a growing awareness among young people of the risks of drug abuse.

The number of newly identified drug users aged under 35 dropped 41.6 percent from a year earlier, Wei Xiaojun, an official from the office of the China National Narcotics Control Commission, said at a press conference.

The figures come as China intensifies efforts to curb drug-related crimes and prevent substance abuse among young people through enforcement campaigns, public education and international cooperation.

Wei, executive deputy director of the office and head of the Ministry of Public Security's narcotics control bureau, said Chinese anti-drug authorities solved around 27,000 drug-related criminal cases in 2025, arrested 41,000 suspects and seized 33.5 tonnes of narcotics.

Over the past year, anti-drug authorities nationwide have continued to strengthen the comprehensive management of drug-related issues, advanced international anti-narcotics cooperation, and achieved new progress in the country's anti-drug efforts, Wei said.