ACAN pleased by continued improvement in drug situation and completion of Tai Po School Drug Testing Trial Scheme
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     Members of the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) were pleased to learn of the continued improvement in the local drug situation and the smooth conclusion of the Trial Scheme on School Drug Testing in Tai Po District at its quarterly meeting today (June 17).

     Members were briefed at the meeting today on drug figures in the first quarter of 2011. The number of reported drug abusers in the first quarter of 2011 dropped by 12.7% (from 4,602 to 4,018), compared to the same period last year.

     There was a 39.9% drop in the number of reported young drug abusers under 21 compared to the same period last year (from 1,110 to 667). The number of newly reported drug abusers also decreased by 29.7% (from 1,079 to 758). It was noteworthy that the number of newly reported young drug abusers under 21 showed a substantial decrease of 51.1% compared to the same period last year (from 581 to 284).

     The number of reported female drug abusers was 27.5% lower (from 918 to 666), while the number of reported male drug abusers dropped by 9% (from 3,684 to 3,352) when compared to the same period in 2010.

     ACAN Chairman, Professor Daniel Shek, said, "We are encouraged to learn that the local drug situation has shown continued improvement. We will continue to collaborate with different sectors of the community to fight against youth drug abuse to sustain the trend."

     The Commissioner for Narcotics, Ms Sally Wong, said, "The continuous drop in the total number of reported drug abusers, as revealed in the drug figures in the first quarter of 2011, has affirmed that the local drug situation has improved and shows signs of easing. I believe it is a result of the staunch support of different sectors of the community for the anti-drug cause which complemented the series of anti-drug measures taken by the Government.

     "However, we will not slacken our efforts. The Government will continue to promote anti-drug work in a comprehensive manner along the five strategic directions, namely 'community mobilisation', 'community support', 'drug testing', 'treatment' and 'law enforcement' to foster a drug-free society."

     Other drug-related figures from the first quarter of 2011 were also reviewed at the meeting.

     The number of reported abusers taking narcotic analgesics (2,318) was higher than the number of reported psychotropic substance abusers (PSAs) (2,066).

     Heroin remained the most popular type of drug among the reported abusers but the total number of reported heroin abusers was 2.9% lower than that of the same period in 2010 (from 2,384 to 2,316).

     The number of male and female PSAs in the first quarter of 2011 decreased by 16.6% and 34.5% respectively, compared to the same period last year. Among the psychotropic substances, ketamine was the most commonly abused. However, the number of reported ketamine abusers was 30.1% lower (from 1,630 to 1,139).  Among these abusers, 43.4% were aged under 21.

     Except for the number of reported cough medicine abusers, which rose by 3.9% compared to the same period last year, the number of most other groups of PSAs declined: ecstasy (64.7% lower), nimetazepam (56.8% lower), cannabis (34.2% lower), ice (19.5% lower), triazolam/midazolam/zopiclone (11.5% lower) and cocaine (8.4% lower).

     Members were also briefed on the Trial Scheme on School Drug Testing in Tai Po District (School Year 2010-11). The trial scheme was completed in May.

     Over 10,200 students participated in the Scheme. A total of 2,668 students were randomly selected for the screening test. Of these, 1,977 students took the test and no confirmed positive case was found.

     Among those selected, 66 students could not provide a urine specimen for the test at the relevant time; 622 were assessed by the nurse of the Student Drug Testing Team as unsuitable for the test in view of their physical condition or because they had taken medication. Three students refused to take the test and their parents/guardians were notified in accordance with the Protocol of the Scheme.

     One false-positive case was found following confirmatory testing by the Government Laboratory in the Scheme in the school year 2010-11.

     Professor Shek said, "We are pleased to note the smooth completion of the Scheme which was implemented in Tai Po over a two-year period. We believe that the dual objectives of the Scheme - to enhance the resolve of students to stay away from drugs and to render assistance to students troubled by drugs - have been achieved. Given its positive impact, ACAN supports the recommendations by the research organisation that school drug testing should be further developed and extended to other schools and districts."

     Ms Wong said, "I believe that the decrease in the number of reported young drug abusers is partly a result of the implementation of school drug testing in Tai Po. In light of the experience gained in the Scheme over the past two years and recommendations by the research organisation on the Scheme, the Government is encouraging other districts and schools to implement a Healthy School Programme with a drug testing component, fostering a drug-free culture on campus.

     "Interested schools could apply for the Beat Drugs Fund for implementation of the Healthy School Programme in the school year 2011-12."

Ends/Friday, June 17, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:46

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