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China plans needle centers for addicts

WUHAN, China, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- In an effort to curb the spread of human immunodeficiency virus, China plans to open 300 new drug needle exchange centers by year's end.

The Ministry of Health says about 44.3 percent of the estimated 650,000 Chinese living with HIV/AIDS, or 288,000 people, were drug addicts sharing needles, the official Xinhua news agency said.

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A needle exchange center in Hanchuan succeeded in cutting the number of addicts who share needles to 13.7 percent this year from 62.8 percent in 2004, Xinhua said.

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