People should learn a lesson from the recent detention of screenwriter Ning Caishen for taking illegal drugs, says an article on Xinhua.net. Excerpts:

On the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the news of screenwriter Ning Caishen being detained by police for taking illegal drugs was of special interest to the people. Beijing police said Ning began taking methamphetamine (known as "ice") at the end of last year, and he had taken the drug just before being detained.

During trial, Ning admitted his "mistake" and said that the consumption of "ice" was harmful and promised never to take it again. But such admissions and promises are not new. After being caught, almost all drug users do the same. So it is questionable whether Ning will stay away from drugs after his release, especially because for the past more than half year he didn't realize that the consumption of "ice" was both harmful and illegal.

The history of drug use shows that it is difficult for drug users to give up the habit. And a few days ago film director Zhang Yuan was caught for taking illegal drugs again.

Ning has written the screenplays of many successful films and TV comedies. But he cannot use his talent as an excuse to take drugs. People respect him as an excellent screenwriter, not as a drug pusher. Being intelligent as he may be, he failed to learn a lesson from the scandals of celebrities who were caught using drugs. But people should learn a lesson from Ning's case and stay away from drugs.

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(China Daily 07/02/2014 page9)