********************************************************
The total number of drug abusers in the first half of 2006 was 7,941, 11.5% lower than that of the same period of 2005 (8,969). Members of the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) were briefed on the latest drug trends at a meeting held today (September 21) based on the statistics from the Central Registry of Drug Abuse (CRDA).
The number of psychotropic substance abusers rose by 7.8%, from 3,676 to 3,962 with ketamine remaining the most popular drug. Despite a drop in 2005, the number of ketamine abusers has increased by 20.9% from 1,258 to 1,521 in the first half of 2006.
There was also a slight increase of 3.9% in the number of young drug abusers aged under 21, rising from 1,396 to 1,451.
The number of cocaine abusers rose from 81 to 179, comparing the half-year figures of 2005 and 2006. Although the number of cocaine abusers constituted a small percentage of the total number, ACAN members noted that the rising trend should be closely monitored.
"The increase in the number of psychotropic substance abusers may be attributable to the casual attitude among youngsters towards taking such drugs," the Commissioner for Narcotics, Ms Sally Wong, said.
"Young people may be lured to try these drugs, which appear like candies. They may not be vigilant when drugs are freely offered by friends at parties," she added.
"To tackle the problem, the Narcotics Division will step up publicity efforts to teach young people about the detrimental effects of commonly abused drugs like ketamine."
Noting that the TV and radio Announcements in the Public Interest (API) were effective means of driving home the truth about drug abuse, Ms Wong said that new APIs on the harm caused by specific drugs would be produced to enhance public awareness, especially targeting young people.
ACAN Chairman Dr Choi Yuen-wan said that members were pleased to learn that the Police had stepped up licence checking of entertainment premises. It would help deter youngsters from staying in such places where they were prone to fall prey to drug traffickers.
"As children may be exposed to drugs at an increasingly young age, ACAN members have agreed to extend the drug education programme down to Primary Four level from the existing coverage of Primary Five and Six pupils," Dr Choi said.
"If we plant the seed in the minds of young children that drug abuse, including taking psychotropic substances, will bring irreversible damage to their health, the knowledge will form a protective shield for them in the years ahead," he said.
"Apart from the school education programme, another focus of this year's preventive education and publicity is parent education," Dr Choi said.
"Seminars for parents are being organised to equip parents with basic drug knowledge, early detection and intervention skills. Other preventive elements such as strengthening of parent-child relationships and enhancement of communication skills will also be included."
Collaboration with the media will also be explored to reach out to more parents so that the messages and skills can be disseminated to a wider audience.
Ends/Thursday, September 21, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:41
NNNN
