All students from the 5th grade in primary schools and above in the capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province will have to attend "at least one anti-drug class" each term, according to a new rule.

The students will have to continue the classes, which aim to create awareness about the harmful effects of drug use, until the 2nd grade of senior high school, Lou Jin, an official from the city's education bureau, said.

"We are aiming to protect students in the age-group of 10 to 17 from banned and harmful substances," Lou said.

According to a joint circular issued by Chengdu's education bureau and the general office of the city's narcotics control commission last week, teachers will lecture students about the facts and harmful effects of banned drugs in each class.

The bureau and the office will jointly hold an "anti-drug knowledge contest" for high school students in the city, and an "anti-drug art competition" for the Chengdu's primary and high schools this year

The point is to let students know of the harm drugs like ecstasy, ice (methamphetamine) and K powder (herbal ketamine) can cause, said Zeng Haibo, chief of the city's Duyuanjie police station.

"Students know what heroin is and the harm it does to those addicted. But they know very little about new drugs like ecstasy, ice and K powder, which have come to China only a few years ago," Zeng said.

"With the compulsory classes and lectures, we want to prevent students from being led astray and trying out these drugs due to peer pressure."

(China Daily March 4, 2009)