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The number of drug abusers reported to the Central Registry of Drug Abuse (CRDA) in the first three quarters of 2003 showed an encouraging downtrend, dropping by 15.7% to 12,753, compared with 15,120 in the same period of 2002.

The Commissioner for Narcotics, Mrs Rosanna Ure, speaking at the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) meeting today (December 19), remarked on the trend but emphasised that the Administration would not be complacent and would continue to spare no effort in the fight against drugs.

"Taking into consideration that young people may be exposed to the risks of substance abuse during the Christmas and New Year festive seasons, the Narcotics Division has enhanced anti-drug publicity and public education to remind the public and young people in particular of the importance of staying away from substance abuse and developing a healthy life-style," Mrs Ure said,

"Young people are not only encouraged to exercise their self-discipline to refuse drugs but also not to yield to peer influence," she said.

The number of reported drug abusers under 21 also decreased the first nine months of 2003, falling to 1,597 from 2,476 in the same period period of 2002, a drop of 35.5%.

"The number of newly reported drug abusers aged under 21 dropped 32%, from 1,695 in the first three quarters of 2002 to 1,152 in the same period this year," Mrs Ure said.

"Compared with the corresponding period in 2002, the overall number of newly reported drug abusers fell 22.4%, from 4,036 in the first three quarters of 2002 to 3,132 in the same period this year."

The most commonly abused drugs in all age groups were heroin (77.1%), ketamine (11.4%), triazolam/midazolam (10.4%) and cannabis (6.9%), while those commonly abused by people under 21 were ketamine (59.7%), "ecstasy" (32.9%) and cannabis (29.2%).

Mrs Ure noted that the Central Registry of Drug Abuse also registered a decrease in the overall number of abusers of most drug types, including a decrease in the number of psychotropic substance abusers, from 4,428 in the first three quarters of 2002 to 3,832 in the same period this year, representing a drop of 13.5%.

The number of reported ketamine abusers dropped 40.9%, from 2,193 in the first three quarters of 2002 to 1,297 in the same period this year. The reported number of heroin abusers also dropped by 14.5%r cent, from 10 210 to 8 733.

A drop was also observed in the reported number of young abusers of most types of drugs. The reported number of ketamine abusers aged under 21 fell 45.2%, from 1,427 to 782, while recorded "ecstasy" abusers fell from 690 to 431, representing a decrease of 37.5%.

"The Government will continue to work towards building a community coalition, partnering with the various sectors of the community, such as NGOs, parents, schools, employers and other community organisations, to fight against drug abuse and trafficking," Mrs Ure said.

At the same meeting, ACAN was also briefed on the proposed arrangements for implementing the Third Three-year Plan on Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Services in Hong Kong 2003-2005, which was released today.

The plan is drawn up by the Narcotics Division of the Security Bureau, in consultation with relevant Government departments and drug treatment and rehabilitation agencies. The Government also promulgated three-year plans in 1997 and 2000.

The latest plan aims to review the existing provision of drug treatment and rehabilitation services and provide pointers for service providers to improve and enhance their programmes in the light of the latest drug abuse situation.

Among the plan's recommendations are strengthening tailor-made treatment and rehabilitation services for psychotropic and poly-drug abusers to ensure appropriate and effective treatment intervention to meet their specific needs. Furthermore, it identifies ways of strengthening existing treatment and rehabilitation services for female drug abusers.

To tackle the trend of psychotropic substance abuse, particularly among the young, drug treatment agencies must re-engineer their existing opiate-oriented services, taking into account the specific needs and characteristics of psychotropic substance abusers. The drug treatment agencies should also consider innovative pilot programmes aimed at early engagement, intervention and treatment for both experimental and habitual substance abusers.

Concerning the subvention system for voluntary residential drug treatment and rehabilitation centres, the Department of Health and Social Welfare Department is reviewing the existing subvention arrangements with an eye to enhancing cost-effectiveness in service delivery, ensuring value for money and increasing public accountability, while at the same time allowing flexibility for the subvented agencies to implement continuous service improvements.

To facilitate concerted efforts in service delivery for drug abusers, enhanced linkage and communication between drug treatment agencies and other mainstream services should be explored. These include more information exchange and client referrals, developing partnerships and networks, and sharing experience on various support services for drug abusers.

"We will soon form a working group to oversee and coordinate the implementation of the Third Three-year Plan on Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation services in Hong Kong," Mrs Ure said,

The Third Three-year Plan on Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Services in Hong Kong (2003-2005) has been uploaded to http://www.nd.gov.hk.

Ends/Friday, December 19, 2003

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