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Members of the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) were pleased to note the continued improvement in the local drug situation in 2011 over 2010 in its quarterly meeting today (March 28).
The total number of reported drug abusers decreased by 8.5 per cent (from 12,533 to 11,469) compared to 2010, while the number of reported young drug abusers under 21 in 2011 dropped by 28.6 per cent (from 2,811 to 2,006).
The number of newly reported drug abusers was 15.9 per cent lower than that of 2010 (from 3,806 to 3,200). Among them, a significant drop of 32.1 per cent (from 1,810 to 1,229) was recorded for those aged under 21, and the figure for those aged 21 and over decreased by 1.3 per cent (from 1,996 to 1,971).
The ACAN Chairman, Professor Daniel Shek, said, "We are glad to see the continuous decline in the total number of reported drug abusers in 2011, in particular the more significant drop in the number of young drug abusers. We believe this is a result of the enhanced multi-pronged anti-drug measures being taken by the Government, with the staunch support and co-operation of different sectors of the community.
"However, we will not be complacent. ACAN will continue to work closely with the Government and different sectors to fight against drug abuse."
The Commissioner for Narcotics, Mrs Erika Hui, stressed that the Government would not slacken its anti-drug efforts despite an improvement in the local drug situation.
She said, "We have noticed a growing trend of hidden youth drug problems. The latest figures revealed that about 74 per cent of young drug abusers took drugs at home or at their friends' homes, which has increased the difficulty in identifying young drug abusers.
"To address the problem, the Government will continue efforts in promoting increased vigilance in the community against the problem of youth drug abuse at home, and enhance parents' awareness of the problem, encouraging them to play an active role in drug prevention, early identification and intervention."
In this regard, Mrs Hui said that among other new anti-drug publicity initiatives, the Government would launch two sets of Announcements in the Public Interest to promote the importance of hidden youth drug abusers seeking help early, and to highlight the important role of parents and the public in anti-drug work.
ACAN members also reviewed other drug-related figures for 2011 at the meeting.
In 2011, the number of reported psychotropic substance abusers (6,844) was higher than the number of abusers taking narcotic analgesics (5,939).
Heroin remained the most common type of drug abused and ketamine continued to be the most abused psychotropic substance among reported abusers. The total number of reported abusers of heroin and ketamine dropped by 4.3 per cent (from 6,200 to 5,934) and 20.9 per cent (from 4,553 to 3,600) respectively.
There were declines in the numbers of reported abusers of other types of psychotropic substances: nimetazepam (56.1 per cent lower), ecstasy (55.3 per cent lower), cannabis (24.5 per cent lower), ice (4.2 per cent lower) and triazolam/midazolam/zopiclone (2.5 per cent lower). The number of reported cocaine abusers was 10.6 per cent higher.
Ends/Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:02
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