COVID-19 control accelerates the decline in illegal drug use in China

This work illustrates the accelerated decline in illegal drug use during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. We first reviewed the global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the situation of illegal drugs. We then compared the data of the pre-pandemic (2016–2019) and pandemic period (2020–2022) for drug seizures, individuals identified as using drugs, registered and newly discovered illegal drug users and the number of community-treated drug users to demonstrate the fast decline in the use of illegal drugs in China. We then discussed the possible reasons and additional considerations for these changes. Overall, the COVID-19 controls in China, such as all-staff nucleic acid testing and ID-based dynamic monitoring, substantially reduced illegal drug use. Being wary of a possible rebound in drug use and preventing new types of drug crimes are still essential in post-COVID China.