Shanghai bans drug-using actors, drivers

SHANGHAI - Lawmakers in Shanghai on Wednesday passed new regulations banning works of drug-using actors and prohibiting drivers addicted to drugs from the road.

Films, television dramas, commercial advertising and stage performances that feature stars with drug offenses from the past three years will be banned, according to the regulations.

Drivers are only allowed on the road three years after their most recent drug use behavior.

Drug users in the city increased by 8.6 percent year on year in 2014, excluding those who were not registered. Drug-related crimes were also on the rise with a 7.8-percent year-on-year increase, or 2.6 times the number of 2009, the city government said.

Abuse of new synthetic drugs has increased, accounting for 90 percent of seized drugs, according to local authorities.