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Members of the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) were pleased to note an improvement in the local drug situation in 2010 over 2009 at its quarterly meeting today (March 18).
The total number of reported drug abusers and young drug abusers under 21 in 2010 dropped by 11.2% (from 13,988 to 12,420) and 18.7% (from 3,387 to 2,753) respectively compared to last year. There was also a 16.6 % drop in the total number of newly reported drug abusers in 2010 (from 4,458 to 3,719).
ACAN Chairman Professor Daniel Shek Tan-lei said, "We are happy to see the drop in the total number of reported drug abusers, in particular the larger drop in the number of reported young drug abusers. We believe this is a result of our escalated anti-drug efforts in preventive education and publicity, treatment and rehabilitation, legislation and enforcement, external co-operation and research. The support and co-operation of different sectors of the community are also very important.
"However, we will not slacken our efforts. ACAN will strive for further improvement by continuing to work closely with government departments and collaborating with different sectors of the community."
Commissioner for Narcotics, Ms Sally Wong, said the easing in the local drug situation in 2010 was encouraging.
"The drop in the number of reported drug abusers showed that the enhanced anti-drug measures taken by the Government, with the staunch support of the community, have yielded positive results. The Government will continue to step up implementation of various measures recommended by the Secretary for Justiceˇ¦s Task Force on Youth Drug Abuse. I would appeal for continued community support for the anti-drug cause so that the improving trend may be deepened and sustained."
Members also reviewed other drug-related figures in Hong Kong in 2010 at the meeting.
In 2010, the number of reported psychotropic substance abusers (7,561) was higher than the number of abusers taking narcotic analgesics (6,202).
Among the reported abusers, heroin remained the most popular type of drug abused but the total number of reported heroin abusers in 2010 was 10.3% lower than that in 2009 (from 6,903 down to 6,191).
Ketamine remained the most common type of psychotropic substance abused. There was a 15.3% decline in the number of reported ketamine abusers in 2010 compared to that of 2009 (from 5,278 to 4,473). Among these abusers, 49% were aged under 21.
The number of reported drug abusers for most other groups of psychotropic substances also declined: ecstasy (51.5% lower), cough medicine (23.1% lower), cannabis (16.8% lower), triazolam/midazolam/zopiclone (10.8% lower) and nimetazepam (9.9% lower).
However, there was an increase of 47% and 12.7% respectively in the number of reported abusers of cocaine and ice in 2010 compared with 2009.
Noting the increase in the number of reported cocaine and ice abusers, Ms Wong said, "To address the problem, we will launch new anti-drug publicity initiatives including a new set of Announcements in the Public Interest and posters in June to highlight the harmful effects of the two drugs."
Ends/Friday, March 18, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:11
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