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Members of the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) at its quarterly meeting today (September 28) reviewed the local drug situation in the first half of 2012 and noted that the total number of reported drug abusers and young drug abusers under 21 had decreased when compared to the same period in the last year.
According to the latest figures of the Central Registry of Drug Abuse, the total number of reported drug abusers dropped by 7.3 per cent (from 7,306 to 6,775), when compared to the same period of 2011. There was also a 22 per cent drop in the number of reported young drug abusers under 21 (from 1,288 to 1,005).
A decline of 18.3 per cent (from 1,788 to 1,460) was recorded in the number of newly reported drug abusers. There was also a drop of 20.9 per cent in the number of newly reported young drug abusers under 21 (from 697 to 551).
The ACAN Chairman, Professor Daniel Shek, said, "We are pleased to see the continuous improvement in the total number of reported drug abusers. We believe it is a result of the continuous efforts made by the Government and different sectors of the community in the work of fighting drugs. We will continue to work closely with different Government departments and the community in combating the drug problem."
The Commissioner for Narcotics, Mrs Erika Hui, said that although there were signs of easing in the local drug situation, the Government would not treat the drug problem lightly. The Government remained concerned about the problem of hidden youth drug abuse and would enhance targeted measures to address the problem.
Mrs Hui said, "Prolonged psychotropic substance abuse by young people can bring serious, or even irreversible, bodily harm. Hence, early identification of youths troubled by drugs and offering them appropriate assistance are very important."
She said that facing these challenges, the Government would continue its multi-pronged strategy to eradicate the drug problem. Apart from stepping up law enforcement, the Government would raise public awareness of the drug problem through preventive education and publicity.
"We have launched a new series of television and radio Announcements in the Public Interest (APIs), which aim to encourage people with drug problems to seek help early, and encourage members of the public, in particular parents and neighbours, to play a more active role in drug prevention, early intervention and rendering assistance to those plagued by drugs.
"In addition, we have enhanced the service of the hotline 186 186 to provide a more convenient platform for those in need to seek help from professional social workers, and to enable the referral of cases in need to relevant non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for follow-up. There has already been follow-up on cases referred to the NGOs. The initial response has been positive. We will continue to assess the effectiveness of enhancing the hotline service in encouraging hidden drug abusers or their family members to seek help."
At the meeting, members also reviewed other drug-related figures.
In the first half of 2012, the number of reported narcotic analgesic abusers (3,811) was higher than the number of reported psychotropic substance abusers (3,710).
Among all reported drug abusers, heroin remained the most common type of drug. However, the total number of reported heroin abusers was 2.5 per cent lower than that for the same period last year (from 3,907 to 3,808).
Ketamine was the most commonly abused type of psychotropic substance. Nevertheless, the number of reported ketamine abusers was 19.4 per cent lower compared to the same period last year (from 2,287 to 1,843). Among them, 33.2 per cent were aged under 21.
For most other groups of psychotropic substances, the number of reported abusers dropped - ecstasy (42 per cent lower), nimetazepam (20 per cent lower), cannabis (9.6 per cent lower), cough medicine (5 per cent lower) and triazolam/midazolam/zopiclone (0.6 per cent lower). However, the number of reported cocaine and ice abusers rose by 8.9 per cent and 1.4 per cent respectively when compared to the same period last year.
Mrs Hui said the Government had noticed the slight increase in the number of reported cocaine and ice abusers, hence the Government would step up anti-drug publicity to remind the public of the harmful effects of abusing cocaine and ice.
At today's meeting, members were also informed that the Beat Drugs Fund Association had approved funding applications from 53 secondary schools to launch the Healthy School Programme with a Drug Testing Component (HSP(DT)) for the 2012/13 school year. A total of about $16 million has been granted.
Mrs Hui added, "The HSP(DT) is a school-based programme which aims to help students develop healthy habits and a positive outlook on life and values, and promote the physical and mental health of students through a series of anti-drug activities covering educational, counselling and support aspects. The ultimate goal is to strengthen students' resilience and determination to stay away from drugs. It also includes a school-based voluntary drug testing component. Schools could choose to participate or not according to their own circumstances and needs, and implement the HSP(DT) at a time they think fit."
The Narcotics Division will continue to liaise with different secondary schools to encourage them to implement the HSP(DT) as part of the healthy school policy, so as to foster a drug-free campus culture through a holistic approach including drug testing, life education and value cultivation.
More details on the HSP(DT) projects approved by the Beat Drugs Fund are available on the following website: www.nd.gov.hk/en/beat.htm.
Ends/Friday, September 28, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:14
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