China National Narcotics Control Commission warns that the country is facing serious situation in combating synthetic drugs.

It says 80 percent of drug users arrested last year had been taking synthetic substances. Most of these users were under the age of 35.

Han Xuguang is deputy director of the commission.

He explains that synthetic drugs are more addictive and dangerous than traditional drugs like opium and heroin. They are widely associated with public safety issues such as traffic accidents, homicides, and other acts that harm the public, and self-injury.

"It is much more difficult to combat crimes related to synthetic drugs than those related to traditional drugs as their ingredients are easier to access and they can be made in private more easily. We also need to strengthen the research on synthetic drug addiction and rehabilitation treatment."

The number of registered drug users in China has reached to nearly 3 million, with half of them dependent on synthetic drugs.