Drug users rest in the detoxification ward at the Avicenna Medical Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan December 2, 2021. REUTERS/Ali Khara 

A drug user rests in the detoxification ward of the Avicenna Medical Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan December 2, 2021. REUTERS/Ali Khara 

Nepalese drug addicts watch television as they sit for an observation after having their dose of methadone during Methadone Maintenance Treatment at Saarathi Nepal in Kathmandu June 25, 2011. Methadone is synthetic narcotic drug similar to morphine which is used in narcotic detoxification and maintenance of heroin addictions. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, there are 46,309 drug users in Nepal in 2007. Among them, 42,954 (92.8%) are male and 3,356 (7.2%) are female. The world will mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar (NEPAL - Tags: SOCIETY) 

A Nepalese drug addict smokes a cigarette as he sits for an observation after having his dose of methadone during Methadone Maintenance Treatment at Saarathi Nepal in Kathmandu June 25, 2011. Methadone is synthetic narcotic drug similar to morphine which is used in narcotic detoxification and maintenance of heroin addictions. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, there are 46,309 drug users in Nepal in 2007. Among them, 42,954 (92.8%) are male and 3,356 (7.2%) are female. The world will mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar (NEPAL - Tags: SOCIETY) 

A Nepalese drug addict drinks tea as he sits for an observation after having his dose of methadone during Methadone Maintenance Treatment at Saarathi Nepal in Kathmandu June 25, 2011. Methadone is synthetic narcotic drug similar to morphine which is used in narcotic detoxification and maintenance of heroin addictions. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, there are 46,309 drug users in Nepal in 2007. Among them, 42,954 (92.8%) are male and 3,356 (7.2%) are female. The world will mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar (NEPAL - Tags: SOCIETY) 

A Nepalese drug addict is seen with her child during the Methadone Maintenance Treatment at Saarathi Nepal in Kathmandu June 25, 2011. Methadone is synthetic narcotic drug similar to morphine which is used in narcotic detoxification and maintenance of heroin addictions. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, there are 46,309 drug users in Nepal in 2007. Among them, 42,954 (92.8%) are male and 3,356 (7.2%) are female. The world will mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar (NEPAL - Tags: SOCIETY) 

A Nepalese drug addict is seen with her child during the Methadone Maintenance Treatment at Saarathi Nepal in Kathmandu June 25, 2011. Methadone is synthetic narcotic drug similar to morphine which is used in narcotic detoxification and maintenance of heroin addictions. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, there are 46,309 drug users in Nepal in 2007. Among them, 42,954 (92.8%) are male and 3,356 (7.2%) are female. The world will mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar (NEPAL - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Bobby Sherpa, 25, a drug addict, is reflected on a mirror as she prepares for lunch during the Methadone Maintenance Treatment at Saarathi Nepal in Kathmandu June 25, 2011. Methadone is synthetic narcotic drug similar to morphine which is used in narcotic detoxification and maintenance of heroin addictions. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, there are 46,309 drug users in Nepal in 2007. Among them, 42,954 (92.8%) are male and 3,356 (7.2%) are female. The world will mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar (NEPAL - Tags: SOCIETY) 

A Nepalese drug addict does a urine test during the Methadone Maintenance Treatment at Saarathi Nepal in Kathmandu June 25, 2011. Methadone is synthetic narcotic drug similar to morphine which is used in narcotic detoxification and maintenance of heroin addictions. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, there are 46,309 drug users in Nepal in 2007. Among them, 42,954 (92.8%) are male and 3,356 (7.2%) are female. The world will mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar (NEPAL - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Anup Gurung, 24, drinks his daily dose of methadone during his Methadone Maintenance Treatment at Saarathi Nepal in Kathmandu June 25, 2011. Methadone is synthetic narcotic drug similar to morphine which is used in narcotic detoxification and maintenance of heroin addictions. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, there are 46,309 drug users in Nepal in 2007. Among them, 42,954 (92.8%) are male and 3,356 (7.2%) are female. The world will mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar (NEPAL - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Shambu Rai 39, drinks his dose of methadone during Methadone Maintenance Treatment at Saarathi Nepal in Kathmandu June 25, 2011. Methadone is synthetic narcotic drug similar to morphine which is used in narcotic detoxification and maintenance of heroin addictions. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, there are 46,309 drug users in Nepal in 2007. Among them, 42,954 (92.8%) are male and 3,356 (7.2%) are female. The world will mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar (NEPAL - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Bobby Sherpa, 25, holds a cigarette as she sits at Saarathi Nepal for observation during Methadone Maintenance Treatment in Kathmandu June 25, 2011. Methadone is synthetic narcotic drug similar to morphine which is used in narcotic detoxification and maintenance of heroin addictions. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, there are 46,309 drug users in Nepal in 2007. Among them, 42,954 (92.8%) are male and 3,356 (7.2%) are female. The world will mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar (NEPAL - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Methadone is dispensed from a machine into a cup to be used for Methadone Maintenance Treatment at Saarathi Nepal in Kathmandu June 25, 2011. Methadone is synthetic narcotic drug similar to morphine which is used in narcotic detoxification and maintenance of heroin addictions. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, there are 46,309 drug users in Nepal in 2007. Among them, 42,954 (92.8%) are male and 3,356 (7.2%) are female. The world will mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar (NEPAL - Tags: SOCIETY) 

A Nepalese drug addict holds a cup of methadone at the Saarathi Nepal during Methadone Maintenance Treatment in Kathmandu June 25, 2011. Methadone is synthetic narcotic drug similar to morphine which is used in narcotic detoxification and maintenance of heroin addictions. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, there are 46,309 drug users in Nepal in 2007. Among them, 42,954 (92.8%) are male and 3,356 (7.2%) are female. The world will mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar (NEPAL - Tags: SOCIETY) 

A Nepalese drug addict smokes a cigarette at the Saarathi Nepal after having his daily Methadone Maintenance Treatment in Kathmandu June 25, 2011. Methadone is synthetic narcotic drug similar to morphine which is used in narcotic detoxification and maintenance of heroin addictions. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, there are 46,309 drug users in Nepal in 2007. Among them, 42,954 (92.8%) are male and 3,356 (7.2%) are female. The world will mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar (NEPAL - Tags: SOCIETY HEALTH) 

Ricardo (top), a recovered heroin addict and a volunteer of the "Outcry in the Barrio" ministry, places his hands and prays over a recently admitted heroin addict who is going through withdrawal symptoms in the border city of Ciudad Juarez September 9, 2009. The ministry helps drug addicts, alcoholics and prostitutes to transform their lives through praying to achieve detoxification. Drug gangs have targeted rehab centers in the past, accusing them of protecting dealers from rival groups. REUTERS/Tomas Bravo (MEXICO CONFLICT CRIME LAW SOCIETY) 

Recently admitted heroin addicts lie in bed as they go through withdrawal symptoms at the "Outcry in the Barrio" in the border city of Ciudad Juarez September 9, 2009. The ministry helps drug addicts, alcoholics and prostitutes to transform their lives through praying to achieve detoxification. Drug gangs have targeted rehab centers in the past, accusing them of protecting dealers from rival groups. REUTERS/Tomas Bravo (MEXICO CONFLICT CRIME LAW SOCIETY) 

Ricardo, a recovered heroin drug addict, participates in a praying session at the "Outcry in the Barrio" ministry in the border city of Ciudad Juarez September 9, 2009. The ministry helps drug addicts, alcoholics and prostitutes to transform their lives through praying to achieve detoxification. Drug gangs have targeted rehab centers in the past, accusing them of protecting dealers from rival groups. REUTERS/Tomas Bravo (MEXICO CONFLICT CRIME LAW SOCIETY) 

A drug addict (C) listens to recovered heroin addicts outside the "Outcry in the Barrio" ministry in the border city of Ciudad Juarez September 9, 2009. The ministry helps drug addicts, alcoholics and prostitutes to transform their lives through praying to achieve detoxification. Drug gangs have targeted rehab centers in the past, accusing them of protecting dealers from rival groups. REUTERS/Tomas Bravo (MEXICO CONFLICT CRIME LAW SOCIETY) 

A recovered heroin drug addict raises his hands as he and others participate in a praying session at the "Outcry in the Barrio" ministry in the border city of Ciudad Juarez September 9, 2009. The ministry helps drug addicts, alcoholics and prostitutes to transform their lives through praying to reach detoxification. Drug gangs have targeted rehab centers in the past, accusing them of protecting dealers from rival groups. REUTERS/Tomas Bravo (MEXICO CONFLICT CRIME LAW SOCIETY) 

The photograph of the wife of a recovered heroin addict is seen next to a bible during a praying session at the "Outcry in the Barrio" ministry in the border city of Ciudad Juarez September 9, 2009. The ministry helps drug addicts, alcoholics and prostitutes to transform their lives through praying to achieve detoxification. Drug gangs have targeted rehab centers in the past, accusing them of protecting dealers from rival groups. REUTERS/Tomas Bravo (MEXICO CONFLICT CRIME LAW SOCIETY) 

Recovered drug addicts participate in a praying session at the "Outcry in the Barrio" ministry in the border city of Ciudad Juarez September 9, 2009. The ministry helps drug addicts, alcoholics and prostitutes to transform their lives through praying to achieve detoxification. Drug gangs have targeted rehab centers in the past, accusing them of protecting dealers from rival groups. REUTERS/Tomas Bravo (MEXICO CONFLICT CRIME LAW SOCIETY IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Emilio, a recovered heroin drug addict, stands outside the "Outcry in the Barrio" ministry as he waits for pedestrians to hand out information about the ministry in the border city of Ciudad Juarez September 9, 2009. The ministry helps drug addicts, alcoholics and prostitutes to transform their lives through praying to achieve detoxification. Drug gangs have targeted rehab centers in the past, accusing them of protecting dealers from rival groups. REUTERS/Tomas Bravo (MEXICO CONFLICT CRIME LAW SOCIETY) 

Recovered heroin drug addicts participate in a praying session at the "Outcry in the Barrio" ministry in the border city of Ciudad Juarez September 9, 2009. The ministry helps drug addicts, alcoholics and prostitutes to transform their lives through praying to achieve detoxification. Drug gangs have targeted rehab centers in the past, accusing them of protecting dealers from rival groups. REUTERS/Tomas Bravo (MEXICO CONFLICT CRIME LAW SOCIETY) 

Ismael, a recovered heroin addict shows a scar at his arm made by a bad shot, after a prayer session at the "Outcry in the Barrio" ministry in the border city of Ciudad Juarez September 9, 2009. The ministry helps drug addicts, alcoholics and prostitutes to transform their lives through praying to achieve detoxification. Drug gangs have targeted rehab centers in the past, accusing them of protecting dealers from rival groups. REUTERS/Tomas Bravo (MEXICO CONFLICT CRIME LAW SOCIETY) 

Recovered heroin addicts kneel down and pray during a morning session at the "Outcry in the Barrio" ministry in the border city of Ciudad Juarez September 9, 2009. The ministry helps drug addicts, alcoholics and prostitutes to transform their lives through praying to achieve detoxification. Drug gangs have targeted rehab centers in the past, accusing them of protecting dealers from rival groups. REUTERS/Tomas Bravo (MEXICO CONFLICT CRIME LAW SOCIETY) 

A drug addict exercises as part of psychological treatment at the Xin'an Labor Camp in Beijing June 25, 2007. Some 80 drug addicts have received detoxification treatment at the psychological treatment center, which was set up in last December 2006, according to local media. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA) 

A drug addict sets up a sand table as part of psychological treatment at the Xin'an Labor Camp in Beijing June 25, 2007. Some 80 drug addicts have received detoxification treatment at the psychological treatment center, which was set up in last December 2006, according to local media. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA) 

Drug addicts play games with a policewoman (R) as part of psychological treatment at the Xin'an Labor Camp in Beijing June 25, 2007. Some 80 drug addicts have received detoxification treatment at the psychological treatment center, which was set up in last December 2006, according to local media. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA) 

A drug addict sets up a sand table as part of psychological treatment at the Xin'an Labor Camp in Beijing June 25, 2007. Some 80 drug addicts have received detoxification treatment at the psychological treatment center, which was set up in last December 2006, according to local media. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA) 

A drug addict has his skin temperature and muscle electrical currents monitored during psychological treatment at the Xin'an Labor Camp in Beijing June 25, 2007. Some 80 drug addicts have received detoxification treatment at the psychological treatment center, which was set up in last December 2006, according to local media. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA) 

A drug addict sets up a sand table as part of psychological treatment as a policeman takes down his arrangements at the Xin'an Labor Camp in Beijing June 25, 2007. Some 80 drug addicts have received detoxification treatment at the psychological treatment center, which was set up in last December 2006, according to local media. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA) 

Electrodes are attached to the head of a drug addict to monitor his skin temperature and muscle electrical currents during psychological treatment at the Xin'an Labor Camp in Beijing June 25, 2007. Some 80 drug addicts have received detoxification treatment at the psychological treatment center, which was set up in last December 2006, according to local media. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA) 

Drug addicts induce vomiting to detoxify their bodies at the Tham Krabok monastery in Thailand's Saraburi province May 14, 2007. The obscure Buddhist monastery, which advocates a secret herbal potion and ritual vomiting for drug addicts, has become the final source of hope for thousands of Thais and Westerners.
Picture taken May 14, 2007. THAILAND/REHAB REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

A Caucasian drug addict pauses during induced vomiting to detoxify her body at the Tham Krabok monastery in Thailand's Saraburi province May 14, 2007. The obscure Buddhist monastery, which advocates a secret herbal potion and ritual vomiting for drug addicts, has become the final source of hope for thousands of Thais and Westerners. Picture taken on May 14, 2007. To match feature THAILAND/REHAB REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

Drug addicts take part in a steam bath to detoxify their bodies as a monk keeps watch at the Tham Krabok monastery in Thailand's Saraburi province May 14, 2007. The obscure Buddhist monastery, which advocates a secret herbal potion and ritual vomiting for drug addicts, has become the final source of hope for thousands of Thais and Westerners. Picture taken May 14, 2007. To match feature THAILAND/REHAB REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

A monk leads drug addicts at the Tham Krabok monastery in Thailand's Saraburi province May14, 2007. The obscure Buddhist monastery, which advocates a secret herbal potion and ritual vomiting for drug addicts, has become the final source of hope for thousands of Thais and Westerners.
Picture taken May 14, 2007. To match feature THAILAND/REHAB REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

Drug addicts drink herbal tea at the Tham Krabok monastery in Thailand's Saraburi province May 14, 2007. The obscure Buddhist monastery, which advocates a secret herbal potion and ritual vomiting for drug addicts, has become the final source of hope for thousands of Thais and Westerners. Picture taken May 14, 2007. To match feature THAILAND/REHAB REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

Drug addicts induce vomiting to detoxify their bodies at the Tham Krabok monastery in Thailand's Saraburi province May 14, 2007. The obscure Buddhist monastery, which advocates a secret herbal potion and ritual vomiting for drug addicts, has become the final source of hope for thousands of Thais and Westerners. Picture taken May 14, 2007. To match feature THAILAND/REHAB REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

Drug addicts induce vomiting to detoxify their bodies at the Tham Krabok monastery in Thailand's Saraburi province May 14, 2007. The obscure Buddhist monastery, which advocates a secret herbal potion and ritual vomiting for drug addicts, has become the final source of hope for thousands of Thais and Westerners.
Picture taken May 14, 2007. To match feature THAILAND/REHAB REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

Drug addicts receive a concoction to induce vomiting at the Tham Krabok monastery in Thailand's Saraburi province May 14, 2007. The obscure Buddhist monastery, which advocates a secret herbal potion and ritual vomiting for drug addicts, has become the final source of hope for thousands of Thais and Westerners. Picture taken May 14, 2007.To match feature THAILAND/REHAB REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

A drug addict receives a concoction to induce vomiting at the Tham Krabok monastery in Thailand's Saraburi province May 14, 2007. The obscure Buddhist monastery, which advocates a secret herbal potion and ritual vomiting for drug addicts, has become the final source of hope for thousands of Thais and Westerners. Picture taken May 14, 2007. To match feature THAILAND/REHAB REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

Drug addicts receive herbal tea at the Tham Krabok monastery in Thailand's Saraburi province May 14, 2007. The obscure Buddhist monastery, which advocates a secret herbal potion and ritual vomiting for drug addicts, has become the final source of hope for thousands of Thais and Westerners. Picture taken May 14, 2007. To match feature THAILAND/REHAB REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

A drug addict drinks herbal tea at the Tham Krabok monastery in Thailand's Saraburi province May 14, 2007. The obscure Buddhist monastery, which advocates a secret herbal potion and ritual vomiting for drug addicts, has become the final source of hope for thousands of Thais and Westerners.
Picture taken May 14, 2007. To match feature THAILAND/REHAB REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

Drug addicts take part in a steam bath to detoxify their bodies at the Tham Krabok monastery in Thailand's Saraburi province May 14, 2007. The obscure Buddhist monastery, which advocates a secret herbal potion and ritual vomiting for drug addicts, has become the final source of hope for thousands of Thais and Westerners. Picture taken May 14, 2007. To match feature THAILAND/REHAB REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

A monk leads drug addicts through the smoke from a grass fire to a steam bath at the Tham Krabok monastery in Thailand's Saraburi province May 14, 2007. The obscure Buddhist monastery, which advocates a secret herbal potion and ritual vomiting for drug addicts, has become the final source of hope for thousands of Thais and Westerners. Picture taken on May 14, 2007. To match feature THAILAND/REHAB REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

A volunteer teacher interacts with streetchildren at a drop in centre of the Azad Foundation and UNICEF in Pakistan's southern city of Karachi December 28, 2006. Breathing in fumes from glue-soaked rags and glue-filled plastic bags is a daily ritual of the more than 14,000 street kids who live rough on the streets of Pakistan's biggest city. The centre provides shelter, medical help and food to the streetchildren and runs a detoxification programme for those hooked on glue sniffing. Picture taken December 28, 2006. To match feature PAKISTAN-STREETCHILDREN/ REUTERS/Athar Hussain (PAKISTAN) 

Fifteen-year-old Akram (R) sits at the Edhi Welfare Centre in Karachi December 28, 2006. Breathing in fumes from glue-soaked rags and glue-filled plastic bags is a daily ritual of the more than 14,000 street kids who live rough on the streets of Pakistan's biggest city. The welfare centre provides shelter, medical help and food to street children and runs a detoxification programme for those hooked on glue sniffing. Picture taken December 28, 2006. To match feature PAKISTAN-STREETCHILDREN/ REUTERS/Athar Hussain (PAKISTAN) 

A soldier sprays detoxification chemicals during an anti-terror drill in preparation for a chemical, biological and radiological warfare attack at the Korea International Exhibition Center in Ilsan, northwest of Seoul, October 25, 2006. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon (SOUTH KOREA) 

A soldier sprays detoxification chemicals during an anti-terror drill in preparation for a chemical, biological and radiological warfare attack at the Korea International Exhibition Center in Ilsan, northwest of Seoul, October 25, 2006. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon (SOUTH KOREA) 

-PHOTO TAKEN 20MAY04-
A Chinese drug addict waits for detoxification capsules at the Kunming Drug Rehabilitation Centre, which is the largest in the world with nearly 4,000 addicts, in this picture taken May 20, 2004. [After a year of rehabilitation and counselling, former addicts return to society. But one problem remains: there is no guarantee they will not be back. Experts consider Kunming, capital of southwestern province of Yunnan province, to be an international drug smuggling hub on the scale of Bogota or Bangkok because it lies on the ancient "Southwest Silk Road" connecting Myanmar to China. Last year, a million drug users were registered in China.] 

Chinese drug addicts squat as they wait for detoxification capsules at the Kunming Drug Rehabilitation Centre, which is the largest in the world with nearly 4,000 addicts, in this picture taken May 20, 2004. After a year of rehabilitation and counselling, former addicts return to society. But one problem remains: there is no guarantee they will not be back. Experts consider Kunming, capital of southwestern province of Yunnan province, to be an international drug smuggling hub on the scale of Bogota or Bangkok because it lies on the ancient "Southwest Silk Road" connecting Myanmar to China. Last year, a million drug users were registered in China. Picture taken May 20, 2004. REUTERS/Andrew Wong ASW/SH 

Chinese drug addicts move back to their dormitory after taking detoxification capsules at the Kunming Drug Rehabilitation Centre, which is the largest in the world with nearly 4,000 addicts, in this picture taken May 20, 2004. After a year of rehabilitation and counselling, former addicts return to society. But one problem remains: there is no guarantee they will not be back. Experts consider Kunming, capital of southwestern province of Yunnan province, to be an international drug smuggling hub on the scale of Bogota or Bangkok because it lies on the ancient "Southwest Silk Road" connecting Myanmar to China. Last year, a million drug users were registered in China. Picture taken May 20, 2004. REUTERS/Andrew Wong ASW/SH 

Chinese drug addicts take detoxification capsules at the Kunming Drug Rehabilitation Centre, which is the largest in the world with nearly 4,000 addicts, in this picture taken May 20, 2004. After a year of rehabilitation and counselling, former addicts return to society. But one problem remains: there is no guarantee they will not be back. Experts consider Kunming, capital of southwestern province of Yunnan province, to be an international drug smuggling hub on the scale of Bogota or Bangkok because it lies on the ancient "Southwest Silk Road" connecting Myanmar to China. Last year, a million drug users were registered in China. Picture taken May 20, 2004. REUTERS/Andrew Wong ASW/SH 

A Chinese drug addict waits for detoxification capsules at the Kunming Drug Rehabilitation Centre, which is the largest in the world with nearly 4,000 addicts, in this picture taken May 20, 2004. After a year of rehabilitation and counselling, former addicts return to society. But one problem remains: there is no guarantee they will not be back. Experts consider Kunming, capital of southwestern province of Yunnan province, to be an international drug smuggling hub on the scale of Bogota or Bangkok because it lies on the ancient "Southwest Silk Road" connecting Myanmar to China. Last year, a million drug users were registered in China. Picture taken May 20, 2004. REUTERS/Andrew Wong ASW/SH 

A Chinese drug addict collapses after taking detoxification capsules at the Kunming Drug Rehabilitation Centre, which is the largest in the world with nearly 4,000 addicts, in this picture taken May 20, 2004. After a year of rehabilitation and counselling, former addicts return to society. But one problem remains: there is no guarantee they will not be back. Experts consider Kunming, capital of southwestern province of Yunnan province, to be an international drug smuggling hub on the scale of Bogota or Bangkok because it lies on the ancient "Southwest Silk Road" connecting Myanmar to China. Last year, a million drug users were registered in China. Picture taken May 20, 2004. REUTERS/Andrew Wong ASW/SH 

Longterm heroin addicts wait in a withdrawal room before seeing the camp doctor at Re-education Centre 06 at Ba Vi 60 km (37 miles) west of Hanoi July 7. These hardcore addicts from Hanoi recently underwent painful heroin withdrawals that last on average around 10 days when they were given no heroin substitutes to aid detoxification. The centre currently holds 318 addicts who are each detained for six months. At the last intake of addicts in June some 18 percent of 109 men tested positive to HIV, the virus that leads to AIDS. HIV positive addicts in the centre are held together with the other inmates.

AJS/TAN 

Muzzamil, a handicapped refugee from Bangladesh (L), puts final touches to a wooden box at a detoxification-rehabiliation centre under the "Nai Zindagi" project at Angoori village in Murree hills. Muzzamil, a recovered addict, has been working in Angoori for the last three years. Picture taken February 3, 1999. 

FOR RELEASE WITH STORY BC-DRUGS-PAKISTAN - Muzzamil, a handicapped refugee from Bangladesh (L), puts final touches to a wooden box at a detoxification-rehabiliation centre under the "Nai Zindagi" project at Angoori village in Murree hills. Muzzamil, a recovered addict, has been working in Angoori for the last three years. Picture taken February 3, 1999.

MP/TAN