Can drug use records be sealed? The Public Security Administration Punishment Law sparks controversy.

(Deutsche Welle Chinese) The revised Public Security Administration Punishment Law, scheduled to take effect early next year, has recently sparked heated debate. The newly added "system for sealing public security violation records" has attracted attention, as records of violations, including drug use, will be sealed and cannot be provided or disclosed to any organization or individual. This has ignited public discussion, with the topic trending on Weibo. Opponents argue that this will lower the cost of drug use, undermine the bottom line of drug prohibition, and impact social fairness. A Douyin account questioned whether this was an attempt to whitewash privilege, leaving the comment "Which young master took drugs?" which resonated with many netizens, gaining millions of followers overnight.

Article 136 of the newly revised "Law on Penalties for Administration of Public Security" stipulates: "Records of violations of public security administration shall be sealed and shall not be provided or disclosed to any unit or individual, except for inquiries by relevant state organs for case handling or by relevant units in accordance with national regulations. Units that conduct inquiries in accordance with the law shall keep the sealed records of violations confidential."

The initial intention of this system was to prevent minor offenders from bearing a "lifelong label," avoiding the constant disruption to their lives, work, and travel due to "one mistake leading to lifelong restrictions." It also aims to protect personal privacy. Chinese state media CCTV pointed out that the sealing of public security violation records targets administrative violations that "do not constitute criminal offenses," such as drug use, assault, and gambling. The core principle is "restricted public access and routine inquiries," meaning the records themselves remain intact within the public security system and are not completely deleted.

The hashtags #DrugUseRecordsCanBeSealedIn2026#, #DrugUseRecordsSealed#, and #WhoProposedSealingDrugUseRecords# have all trended on Weibo . Some worry that the new regulations will lower the cost of breaking the law by drug use and could become a channel for some to "launder" their criminal record. One netizen wrote: "What we want is 'not even one bite,' not 'one bite and it's okay,' nor 'nobody knows even if you take one bite!'" Others commented: "This sealing provision is very unpopular; how did it pass?" The official Douyin account of Nantong Culture and Tourism left a comment with only six characters, "Which young master took drugs?", questioning whether the new law serves the privileged class. As a result, their followers increased from approximately 350,000 the day before to over 4.3 million the following day.

CCTV responded to the question of "whether it gives the green light to specific groups," stating that the new regulations demonstrate the progress of the rule of law. They are neither a denial of the past nor condoning mistakes, but rather seek a balance between punishment and rehabilitation, giving those who genuinely repent a chance to start over.