Chinese pilots told to keep away from drugs

The civil aviation authority has launched a nationwide anti-narcotics campaign after a pilot almost died after taking drugs.

A cargo airline pilot slipped into coma in Shanghai in April 2014 due to an potentially-fatal overdose, according to the office of the China National Narcotics Control Commission (CNNCC).

The man was subsequently fired and admitted to a community drug recovery center, and he must attend sessions there for three years.

Following this case, the Civil Aviation Administration of China began a review of the last 10 years of civil aviation staff drug tests. In February it issued a notice decalring that "no effort should be spared" in the prevention of drug use among pilots.

The notice said education and management would be enhanced to ensure the sector was drug free, and that aviation officials in charge of drug prohibition would be held accountable should drug abuse be discovered

Authorities said drug use is spreading and that other transportation sectors, including public buses, had employees that were addicted to drugs.

The safety of the public was in the hands of these people, the CNNCC office underscored.

The anti-narcotics campaign is "severely urgent" for these professions, officials said. Endi