While authorities are finding it difficult to prevent people arrested for drug-related crimes from returning to substance abuse, one nonprofit organization has been successful in helping those who once relied on narcotics such as amphetamines.
The Asia-Pacific Addiction Research Institute in Taito Ward, Tokyo, is the first NPO in Japan to deal with the rehabilitation of people released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of drug abuse.
Officials say drug-related crimes show no signs of letting up. The number of people caught in amphetamine crackdowns carried out by narcotics agents of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare last year totaled about 18,000.