Jackie Chan's Son Arrested on Drugs Charges

The relationship between celebrities and drug abuse has always attracted public attention and the media is abuzz about the arrest of Jaycee Chan, the son of movie star Jackie Chan, for testing positive for marijuana use.

Jaycee Chan,32,  an actor and singer, was arrested in Beijing on Tuesday. The police also found 100 grams of marijuana from his home, according to Reuters.

Chan, was arrested along with his friend, 23-year-old Taiwanese movie star Kai Ko Chen-tung,  reports the  South China Morning Post News.

Both the actors were arrested after a tip-off the police said, reports Reuters citing Global Times.

Jackie Chan's management company, M'Stones International Corp, has issued a statement on behalf of Jaycee saying it stands by him and will help in handling the case.

Lately, China has come down strongly against use of drugs like Methamphetamine, ketamine and ecstacy.  A burgeoning middle class with disposable incomes has seen a spike in substance abuse among the citizens.  Drug -related crimes invite stringent punishments like death or life imprisonment depending upon the seriousness of the case.

More than 7,800 suspects were detained in China on drug-related charges this year. This is an increase of 72 percent from last year, Xinhua reports.

Just a  day before the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which falls on June 26,  the Chinese President, Xi Jimping had called for  "forceful measures to wipe [drugs] out", according to The Diplomat.

The arrest of  Jaycee Chan is of significance as Jackie Chan  has served as a goodwill spokesman for the China National Anti- Drug Committee in 2009 and promoted anti- drug education in that capacity .