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The Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) at its quarterly meeting today (December 17) reviewed the local drug situation in the first three quarters of 2015. Members noted that while both the total number of reported drug abusers and the number of young drug abusers had decreased compared to the same period in 2014, the median drug abusing history of newly reported abusers (i.e. the time for abusers to be discovered by the Central Registry of Drug Abuse (CRDA) reporting agencies from their first drug abuse) had continued to grow.
According to the latest figures of the CRDA, the total number of reported drug abusers in the first three quarters of 2015 decreased by 8 per cent (from 7,689 to 7,081) compared with the same period last year. The number of newly reported drug abusers dropped by 2 per cent (from 1,638 to 1,609).
The decline in the number of young drug abusers was more notable. The number of reported drug abusers aged under 21 recorded a drop of 17 per cent (from 667 to 552), while the number of newly reported drug abusers aged under 21 decreased by 16 per cent (from 380 to 321).
Despite the above, the continual rise in the median drug abusing history of newly reported abusers still calls for attention. The figure increased from 5.2 years in 2014 to 5.8 years in the first three quarters of 2015.
Members also reviewed other drug-related figures for the first three quarters of 2015 at the meeting. As compared with the same period in 2014, the number of reported psychotropic substance abusers continued to be higher than the number of abusers taking narcotics analgesics. The number of abusers of psychotropic substances dropped by 7 per cent (from 4,640 to 4,301) and those taking narcotics analgesics decreased by 6 per cent (from 3,941 to 3,685).
Among all reported drug abusers, heroin remained the most common type of drug abused. The total number of reported heroin abusers was 7 per cent lower (from 3,940 to 3,683) compared with the same period last year.
Methamphetamine ("Ice") surpassed ketamine and became the most common type of psychotropic substance abused, with the number of reported methamphetamine abusers increasing by 2 per cent (up from 1,659 to 1,698).
The number of reported abusers of most of the other types of psychotropic substances recorded decreases: ketamine was 12 per cent lower (from 1,861 to 1,644); triazolam/midazolam/zopiclone was 14 per cent lower (from 874 to 752); cocaine was 12 per cent lower (from 538 to 475); cough medicine was 14 per cent lower (from 324 to 278); and nimetazepam was 10 per cent lower (from 29 to 26). However, the numbers of reported abusers of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy) and cannabis increased by 105 per cent (up from 20 to 41) and 1 per cent (up from 276 to 280) respectively.
The ACAN Chairman, Dr Ben Cheung, expressed concern over the lengthening drug history of abusers.
Dr Cheung said, "The worsening problem of hidden drug abuse presents a worrying situation which calls for attention from different sectors of the community. The longer it takes for drug abusers to be reached by the help network, the later that they could receive proper treatment and rehabilitation. Early identification and assistance are the best means of preventing any drug from inflicting irreversible harm upon the individual.
"To tackle the problem, we will continue to target preventive education and publicity efforts in the coming year to enhance public awareness, in particular, the importance of early identification and early intervention. We will further publicise help-seeking channels and encourage people with drug problems to seek help through the 24-hour anti-drug helpline 186 186, and instant messaging service 98 186 186.
"We would also like to appeal to all in the community to be more alert to drug induced symptoms of those around us. Family members, community stakeholders and frontline workers could play a more active role in identifying those plagued by drug problems at an early stage, so that they could be offered assistance and treatment."
The Commissioner for Narcotics, Mrs Erika Hui, said that although the overall number of reported drug abusers had continued to decline, the Government would not slacken its anti-drug efforts. She stressed that the Government 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 combat drug problems in a holistic manner. Specifically, the increase in those who abuse "Ice" was a cause for concern, since it can cause serious drug-induced psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, depression, hallucinations and feelings of persecution, which may lead to violent or self-destructive behaviour.
Mrs Hui said, "The Government will continue to work closely with the anti-drug sector to address challenges arising from the increasing prevalence of 'Ice' abuse."
With Christmas and New Year around the corner, the Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau and the ACAN are stepping up anti-drug publicity efforts. After the meeting today, Dr Cheung; the Chairman of the ACAN Sub-committee on Preventive Education and Publicity, Dr Tik Chi-yuen; members of the ACAN, Mr Ivan Yiu, Mr Edwin Cheng, Ms Lisa Lau and Ms Sandy Wong; Mrs Hui and the Police distributed anti-drug leaflets and publicity materials to patrons at bars and restaurants and passers-by in the Lan Kwai Fong and Soho areas in Central, appealing to the public, particularly youngsters, to remain vigilant and stay away from drugs during the festive seasons.
In addition, the ND will launch a new round of publicity in the coming weeks to disseminate anti-drug messages, including the broadcast of TV Announcements in the Public Interest and the display of advertisements on public transportation networks, at entertainment venues, and on the Internet and social media networks.
Ends/Thursday, December 17, 2015
Issued at HKT 21:31
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