Preface

Drug abuse is a hazard to human society, and control of drugs is essential to the future of humanity. As international drug abuse and crime continue to expand, the numbers of drug types, output, and abusers are increasing, posing a grave threat to human life. In recent years, synthetic drugs such as fentanyl-related substances have spread menacingly, doing increasing harm to the international community and presenting new challenges to global drug control. In particular, the serious social issues in some countries caused by the loss of control over the availability of fentanyl sound a dire warning – unless fentanyl-related substances are effectively monitored and controlled, they will spread and spiral, causing severe damage to public health, hindering economic development, and threatening social stability.

Narcotics once inflicted appalling suffering on the Chinese nation, causing wounds that are still keenly felt by the people. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the government has relentlessly fought the illegal drug trade and worked tirelessly to solve the problem. In recent years, China has attached great importance to maintaining control over fentanyl-related substances, and has taken advance precautions, improved overall planning, and adopted comprehensive measures and systematic control. It has exercised strict supervision over fentanyl-related medications, rigorously prevented the abuse of fentanyl-related substances, and stricken hard against the smuggling, manufacturing, and trafficking of fentanyl-related substances and related precursor chemicals. These have delivered notable results. 

China has strengthened cooperation on international drug control through down-to-earth dialogues and exchanges, joint investigations, and experience sharing, and promoted mutually beneficial cooperation based on equality and mutual trust. China has achieved notable successes in in-depth cooperation with countries concerned, including the United States, in addressing problems with fentanyl-related substances and their precursors.

Strengthening control of fentanyl-related substances is an effective measure by which China can prevent the potential hazards brought about by these new drugs. It reflects China's people-centered anti-drug philosophy to ensure the health and wellbeing of the people. China also demonstrates its sense of responsibility by participating in global drug control, promoting global governance of drug-related issues, and safeguarding the health, safety, and wellbeing of all of humanity.

The Chinese government is publishing this white paper to introduce its work and progress on the control of fentanyl-related substances, and to share its innovative experiences in this regard.