Shanghai's older residents turn to drugs for mahjong marathons

Middle-aged Shanghai residents are turning to ketamine, cocaine and methamphetamine to sustain them through marathon sessions of mahjong and cards, a state newspaper has warned.

Until now, authorities have focused on drug abuse by the young and reckless, and while most users in the city are teenagers and young professionals, officials say that a growing number of older inhabitants are turning to drugs as well.

Zheng Yuqing, spokesman for the Shanghai Anti-Drugs Commission, told China Daily that there had been a "significant increase" in cases among the middle-aged, although, he declined to give figures.

"Most of the older victims, aged between 40 and 60, are unemployed or retired and so have plenty of spare time. They are often not well educated and have little awareness of the harm caused by taking drugs," he said.

The newspaper said many older people used drugs as a stimulant during card-playing and mahjong sessions, which often last all night. Gambling is often a major part of the lure, although it is illegal on the mainland.