The biggest challenge for many recovered drug addicts is finding and keeping a job. In southwest China, one local government is trying to make the process easier.

CCTV’s He Weiwei reports.

Chinese local businesses encouraged to employ recovering addicts

The biggest challenge for many recovered drug addicts is finding and keeping a job. In southwest China, one local government is trying to make the process easier.CCTV's He Weiwei reports.

In a clothing factory, Zhang Jian is busy making school uniforms. He has been working here in Qingzhen city, Guizhou province, for 3 years since giving up drugs.

“It’s hard for recovered drug users like me to find a job, employers always manage to dig up my past,” Jian said. “Once they know, I get fired.”

Fighting against addiction was not easy. He relapsed several times. But finding a job after rehab was just as hard.

To tackle the problem, the provincial government has encouraged a number of local businesses to set up work areas especially for them.

“They are fully aware of the impact of drugs. Sometimes they just need some more confidence about themselves,” Chen Yun, director of Qingzhen Narcotics Control Bureau, said. “With regular working hours and stable income, we hope they can reintegrate into society gradually.”

The only difference from other factories is that there is a counseling room, which is open and free to the workers as well as their families.

In Guizhou province, about 140 companies are taking part in this government-encouraged project to provide jobs for recovered drug addicts like Zhang.

Zhang now earns 3,000 yuan ($460) per month and he said it feels great to be able to support his family. Zhang has a plan – he wants to open a chicken farm some day in the future. He is now working harder than ever, trying to save up money to make that happen.

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