A patient reads a book at the Nanqu branch of Zhongshan Second People's Hospital in Zhongshan city, South China's Guangdong province, on Dec 20, 2015. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Special hospital for users

Guangdong authorities have also established a specialized hospital to treat drug users suffering from infectious or serious diseases.

Before the hospital was set up, drug users carrying infectious diseases were allowed to stay in their communities as police could not detain them due to the health risk they posed both to other detainees and officers themselves.

But the establishment of Nanqu branch of Zhongshan Second People's Hospital established in 2011 changed all that. Doctors and nurses at the hospital treat the suspects with serious infectious diseases caused by drug use, while police assist the medical workers in case the suspects might threaten the workers.

Suspects admitted to the hospital are not sent back to the prison until their physical condition poses no threat to other inmates, said Wang Jun, head of the hospital.

The patients do not have to pay anything for the treatment as the government takes care of the bill. The hospital accepts all drug users who have serious diseases or disability.

Wang said 720 registered drugs users have received treatment at the hospital.

Deng Jianwei, in charge of drug control in Guangdong province, said other cities in the province are likely to announce similar measures in 2016.