Chinese students aged 10 to 16 are being offered advice on how to stay away from drugs as the nation steps up its battle to curb the growth in the number of addicts.

They will be taught about the harmful side effects of drugs and how they impact on a person's health, their family and society.

The compulsory course, which started in spring, is tailored to the age group that is most at risk.

Of the 1 million drug users registered by the public security authorities in China at the end of 2002, 74 per cent were juveniles, according to latest official data. The proportion is expected to swell further by the end of this year, experts say.

At an anti-drug forum in Beijing Wednesday, Yin Dakui, the former deputy minister of the ministry of health, said: "Drug awareness education is necessary to reach kids when they are at an age when they are most susceptible.''

He said they have to see first hand the consequences of a drug overdose and understand how drugs can impact on the development of the human brain.

Research has shown that people are more prone to becoming physically addicted to drugs when they are teenagers. The side effects on teenagers are also heightened.

Professor Pi Yijun from the China University of Politics and Law said the drug ecstasy is one of the biggest problems.

"It is a killer for young people as it is very small and easy to take without anyone knowing,'' he said.

Police have warned teenagers to be particularly cautious about having their drinks "spiked'' when at night clubs and parties. Drinks should never be left unattended and people should not accept drinks from others.

Also at Wednesday's forum, Liu Junsheng, the general secretary of the Chaoyang District Communist Youth League in Beijing, highlighted the benefits of having healthy community members.

He said increasing community activities will keep students occupied, greatly helping to decrease the rate of young drug addicts.

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