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Members of the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) reviewed the local drug situation in the first half of 2014 at their quarterly meeting today (September 23). They also noted that the local drug situation had continued to show a declining trend, with a more significant drop in the number of young drug abusers.
According to the latest figures of the Central Registry of Drug Abuse (CRDA), the total number of reported drug abusers in the first half of 2014 decreased by 11 per cent (from 6 289 to 5 617) compared with the same period in 2013. There was also a 19 per cent decrease (from 1 290 to 1 044) in the number of newly reported drug abusers.
The decline in the number of young drug abusers was even more noticeable. The number of reported drug abusers aged under 21 and the number of newly reported drug abusers aged under 21 in the first half of 2014 decreased by 37 per cent (from 760 to 476) and 38 per cent (from 407 to 251) respectively compared with the same period last year.
The latest figures of the CRDA also revealed a continued increase in the median drug abusing history of newly reported abusers (i.e. the period of time taken for abusers to be discovered by the CRDA reporting agencies from their first instance of drug abuse), with an increase from 4.6 years in 2013 to 5.3 years in the first half of 2014.
The ACAN Chairman, Professor Daniel Shek, said that although the total number of drug abusers and the number of young drug abusers had continued to decline, the continuous increase in the drug history of abusers and the worsening situation of hidden drug abuse were causes for concern.
Professor Shek said that the ACAN would continue to work closely with different government departments and relevant anti-drug partners to actively promote various measures to address the hidden drug abuse problem, including enhancing the 186 186 helpline to provide round-the-clock service and introducing an instant messaging service through 98 186 186 on a trial basis to encourage drug abusers to seek help, and launching an awareness building programme to implement anti-drug activities in 18 districts to enable members of the community to play a more active role in drug prevention, early identification and intervention.
Professor Shek further noted that, "The first-stage public consultation on the RESCUE Drug Testing Scheme has explored issues of broad principle. The ACAN is hoping to draw up a timetable for the second-stage public consultation after the Government's further dialogue with different stakeholders and working out specific proposals for the scheme."
The Commissioner for Narcotics, Mrs Erika Hui, said that the community should not slacken its anti-drug efforts despite the declining trend in the local drug scene. She said that the Administration would continue its five-pronged anti-drug strategy, namely preventive education and publicity, treatment and rehabilitation, legislation and law enforcement, external co-operation and research, to tackle drug problems in a holistic manner.
Mrs Hui noted that the number of reported psychotropic substance abusers had overtaken the number of reported narcotics analgesics abusers since 2007. In particular, in the first half of 2014, the number of reported cannabis abusers had increased by 28 per cent (from 148 to 189) compared with the same period last year. Mrs Hui pointed out that cannabis abuse was a criminal offence, as with the abuse of other dangerous drugs. According to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Cap 134), consumption or possession of dangerous drugs is a criminal offence. Upon conviction, offenders will be liable to a maximum fine of $1,000,000 and imprisonment for seven years.
Mrs Hui reminded youngsters that they should not underestimate the harmful effects that cannabis could cause to their bodies and should remain vigilant against the misguided belief that cannabis was not addictive. Regardless of the quantity, they should never try out cannabis or other psychotropic substances. She encouraged young people to "Stand Firm! Knock Drugs Out" when encountering drug temptation.
Members also reviewed other drug-related figures for the first half of 2014 at the meeting.
The number of reported abusers taking psychotropic substances (3 260) was higher than the number of narcotic analgesics abusers (2 947). The numbers of abusers of psychotropic substances and narcotic analgesics recorded declines of 8 per cent and 13 per cent respectively compared with the same period last year.
Heroin remained the most common type of drug abused among reported abusers. The number of reported heroin abusers was 13 per cent lower than the figure of the same period of 2013 (from 3 390 to 2 947).
Ketamine remained the most common type of psychotropic substance abused. The number of reported ketamine abusers was 22 per cent lower (from 1 734 to 1 357) compared with the same period last year. Among them, 16 per cent were young people aged under 21.
The numbers of reported abusers of most other types of psychotropic substances saw reductions - ecstasy (65 per cent lower), cocaine (20 per cent lower), triazolam/midazolam/zopiclone (9 per cent lower) and cough medicine (3 per cent lower), with the exception of nimetazepam (70 per cent higher) and methamphetamine ("ice") (23 per cent higher).
Ends/Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:44
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