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The Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) reviewed the drug situation in the first quarter of 2010 at its quarterly meeting today (June 25). Members were pleased to note a decrease of 10.3% (from 5,074 to 4,550) in the total number of reported drug abusers in the first three months of 2010 compared to the same period last year. The number of reported young drug abusers aged under 21 also decreased by 10.3% (from 1,218 to 1,093).
There was also a drop of 9.1% (from 1,163 to 1,057) in the number of newly reported drug abusers compared to the same period last year.
ACAN Chairman Professor Daniel Shek Tan-lei said, "We are pleased to note that there is improvement in the local drug situation in the first quarter of this year and there is a drop in the number of reported drug abusers. I believe it is a result of the series of anti-drug measures taken by the Government with the support and co-operation of different sectors of the community.
"However, we will not slacken our efforts. ACAN will continue to work closely with government departments and collaborate with different sectors to promote the community-wide campaign against drug abuse."
The Commissioner for Narcotics, Ms Sally Wong, said that the drop in the number of reported drug abusers showed that the enhanced anti-drug efforts made by the Government in five strategic directions - "community mobilisation", "community support", "drug testing", "treatment" and "law enforcement" - have started to yield positive results. She said, "The Government will continue to spare no effort in promoting anti-drug work. We hope that the drug situation in Hong Kong can continue to improve."
Members also reviewed other drug related figures in Hong Kong in the first quarter of 2010.
Heroin remained the most popular type of drug among the reported abusers but the total number of reported heroin abusers was 13.5% lower than that of the same period in 2009 (from 2,746 to 2,375).
The total number of reported psychotropic substance abusers (PSAs) (2,584) was again higher than the number of reported abusers taking narcotic analgesics (2,380).
Ketamine remained the most common type of psychotropic substance abused. The number of reported ketamine abusers was 6.3% lower (from 1,707 to 1,600). Among these abusers, 55.5% were aged under 21.
Members were told that the number of reported abusers of cocaine and ice were on the rise, surging by 40.6% and 20.9% respectively. However, the number of most other groups of PSAs declined: ecstasy (56.4% lower), cough medicine (29.6% lower), cannabis (23.0% lower), triazolam/midazolam/zopiclone (5.3% lower) and nimetazepam (3.7% lower).
Among young drug abusers, home/friends' home (69.0%) was the most popular locality for taking drugs. Other popular localities where young drug abusers took drugs were recreation area/public garden/public toilet (36.1%) and disco or karaoke (19.5%).
The most common reasons reported by PSAs for taking drugs were to relieve boredom/depression/anxiety (47.8%), to identify with peers (46.8%) and for curiosity and to avoid the discomfort of withdrawal (27.2% each).
The Director of Singapore's Central Narcotics Bureau, Mr Ng Seng Liang, also attended today's meeting. He briefed members on Singapore's drug situation and preventive education work and exchanged views with them on ways to tackle the drug abuse problem.
Ends/Friday, June 25, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:41
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