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Members of the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) were pleased to note the continued improvement in the local drug situation at its quarterly meeting today (September 16).
Members reviewed the drug figures in the first half of 2011 at the meeting. The total number of reported drug abusers in the first half of 2011 dropped by 9.1 per cent (from 7,821 to 7,111), compared to the same period of 2010. There was a 28.3 per cent drop in the number of reported young drug abusers aged under 21 compared to the same period last year (from 1,752 to 1,257).
The number of newly reported drug abusers also decreased by 17.5 per cent (from 2,020 to 1,666). There was a big drop of 34 per cent in the number of newly reported young drug abusers aged under 21 (from 1,014 to 669). However, the number of newly reported drug abusers aged 41 and over increased by 24.8 per cent (from 105 to 131).
The total number of reported female drug abusers was 14.1 per cent lower (from 1,519 to 1,305) while the number of reported male drug abusers dropped by 7.9 per cent (from 6,302 to 5,806).
ACAN Chairman, Professor Daniel Shek, said, "We are pleased to see the continued improvement in the local drug situation. We believe it is a result of the enhanced anti-drug measures taken by the Government, with the support and co-operation of different sectors of the community. However, we will not be complacent and treat the drug problem lightly. ACAN will continue to work closely with government departments and collaborate with different sectors of the community to fight against drug abuse."
The Commissioner for Narcotics, Mrs Erika Hui, said although the local drug situation was easing, the Government would not slacken its anti-drug efforts. It would continue its all-out efforts to combat the drug problem.
She said, "We are pleased to see the continuous drop in the number of reported drug abusers. However, we will not slacken our efforts. The Government will continue to implement the five-pronged anti-drug strategy, namely, preventive education and publicity, treatment and rehabilitation, legislation and law enforcement, external co-operation and research, to combat the youth drug problem on a sustained basis."
Members also reviewed other drug-related figures in Hong Kong in the first half of 2011 at the meeting.
The number of reported psychotropic substance abusers (PSAs) (3,939) was higher than the number of reported narcotics analgesics abusers (3,893).
Among all reported drug abusers, heroin remained the most popular type of drug abused. However, the total number of reported heroin abusers was 4.2 per cent lower than that of the same period in 2010 (from 4,060 to 3,890).
Ketamine remained the most common type of psychotropic substance abused. However, the number of reported ketamine abusers was 19.3 per cent lower compared to the same period of last year (from 2,720 to 2,196). Among these abusers, 41.8 per cent were aged under 21.
There was a decline in the number of reported abusers of other types of psychotropic substances: ecstasy (58.6 per cent lower), nimetazepam (55.5 per cent lower), cannabis (28 per cent lower), ice (12.2 per cent lower), triazolam/midazolam/zopiclone (3.9 per cent lower) and cough medicine (0.3 per cent lower). However, the number of reported cocaine abuser was 10.2 per cent higher than that of the same period in 2010.
Noting that ketamine has remained the most popular type of psychotropic substance abused, Mrs Hui said, "To address the problem, the Government will launch a new set of Announcements in the Public Interest and posters in December to highlight the harmful effects of abusing ketamine and to dispel misconceptions that ketamine is not addictive."
Ends/Friday, September 16, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:01
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