The term 吸毒 (xīdú) is one of the most culturally and historically loaded words in the modern Chinese vocabulary. Its severe connotation cannot be understood without knowing about China's “Century of Humiliation” (百年国耻 - bǎinián guóchǐ), which began with the Opium Wars in the mid-19th century. During this period, the British Empire forcibly imported massive quantities of opium into China, leading to widespread addiction that crippled Chinese society and the economy. This national trauma is a cornerstone of modern Chinese education and national identity. Consequently, drug use is not just seen as a personal health issue or a crime, but as a threat to the nation itself—a weakness that could invite foreign exploitation and lead to social collapse. In the West, particularly in America, the conversation around drugs can be multifaceted, including debates on personal liberty, medical use (e.g., medical marijuana), and harm reduction. In China, the discourse is almost uniformly focused on prevention, harsh punishment, and national security. The concept of “recreational drug use” is culturally alien and unacceptable. Therefore, 吸毒 (xīdú) is linked to core societal values like social stability (稳定 - wěndìng), harmony (和谐 - héxié), and national rejuvenation.
吸毒 (xīdú) is used in formal, official, and informal contexts, but always with a serious and negative tone.