Equipment at the Nanqu branch of Zhongshan Second People's Hospital in Zhongshan city, South China's Guangdong province, on Dec 20, 2015. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The drug users first refused to receive detoxification at local drug treatment centers, and some even tried to hide tape-covered blades they planned to use later to escape.

"This year we saw only two drugs users swallow tape-covered blades compared with more than 20 in June 2011", said Wang.

The longest time a drug user has stayed at the hospital is 18 months. "We held two birthday parties for the leprosy-stricken drug user, though he was sentenced to death penalty," said Wang.

The drug users' families support the government's decision. "The family of a drug user, who died of illness a month ago at the hospital, paid the funeral fees voluntarily and thanked the hospital for the free treatment," said Wang.