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The Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) held its quarterly meeting today (June 15) and learned that the number of ketamine abusers increased to 1,184 (or 36.9%) in the first quarter of 2007, compared with that of the same period of 2006 (865).
Among the abusers, 64.6% of them were aged under 21.
Members noted that the total number of reported drug abusers in the first quarter of 2007 was 4,649 which was more or less the same as that for the same period of 2006 (4,680).
Although the number of drug abusers aged 21 and over was 3.2% lower, the number of young drug abusers under 21 was 10.1% higher than that for the same period of 2006.
Heroin remained the most popular type of drugs abused. The total number of abusers was 9.5% lower than that of the same period of 2006.
The number of ecstasy abusers was 48.5% lower (331 and 643 in the first quarter of 2007 and 2006 respectively).
ACAN members expressed serious concern over the recent case of students suspected of abusing drugs in school. Members were assured that the liaison between schools and the Police would be strengthened. Training for teachers and social workers on how to identify and deal with drug problems in school would be enhanced. Parents would be engaged to play an active role in drug prevention for their children, and publicity targeting the youth would be intensified.
They were glad to learn that the Government was enhancing early intervention services, including body check and early treatment services and preventive education to educate youngsters on the harms of drug abuse.
ACAN Chairman Dr Choi Yuen-wan said that the problem of abusing psychotropic substances among youngsters should be dealt with by the concerted efforts of all parties concerned.
Commissioner for Narcotics, Ms Sally Wong, said a series of activities to spread anti-drug messages among young people are being rolled out during the summer holidays.
"A Hip Hop Dance and Music Competition jointly organised by the Narcotics Division (ND) and RTHK was kicked off on June 3. We wish to recruit the youth to take part in healthy and interesting contests and take the opportunity to educate them," Ms Wong said.
"An anti-drug mobile phone game entitled 'Evil Killer' will be launched mid-July. The game will be widely publicised with the assistance of a mobile phone network provider and a karaoke chain shop."
"To address the cross-boundary drug abuse problem, a sponsorship scheme was launched last year to encourage the community to organise anti-drug educational and publicity activities targeting youth to steer them away from cross-boundary drug abuse and to lead a healthy and drug-free life. A total of 18 projects are being held from November 2006 to July 2007."
"We will launch a new drug education kit to disseminate anti-drug messages in schools and the consequences of cross-boundary drug abuse. The kit is designed for use by Primary four, five and six for the curriculum of General Studies, and Secondary School Forms one to three for the curriculum of Liberal Studies," Ms Wong added.
"Parents are our important partners in the war against drugs. A parent seminar will be held on June 23 to equip parents with basic drug knowledge, as well as skills to handle drug-related problems."
Members were also briefed at the meeting that traces of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive constituent of cannabis, was found in the hemp seeds in several food products sampled. The THC detected in the samples was at a very low level.
The Department of Health and Centre for Food Safety advised that the normal consumption of the products is unlikely to pose psychotropic or adverse health effects.
THC is a substance regulated under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Cap. 134). The possession and dealing in the drug is in contravention to the law. Licences are only granted for the import of products containing dangerous drugs which have legitimate medicinal uses.
The Government has alerted the suppliers and the retailers of the sampled products and reminded them to avoid importing or dealing in products containing THC or hemp seeds containing THC in future. They were notified that if in future such substance was found in their products, they might be liable to prosecution.
The concerned food products include one brand of granola bar - Nature's Path Organic Granola Bars Chewy Hemp Plus Raisins and four brands of "Seven Spice Chilli Pepper" - Itochu House Shichimi Red Pepper Mix, Assorted Chilli Pepper Yagenbor Nanami Togarashi,¤é¥»HACHI¤C¨ı𨯤land S & B Assorted Chili Pepper.
Members noted Government's serious attitude against drug abuse. They supported Government's approach in handling the food products containing traces of THC and considered it reasonable and proportionate in the circumstances.
Ends/Friday, June 15, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:25
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