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Total number of reported drug abusers in decline but drug abuse among young adults still calls for attention (with photos)
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     The Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) reviewed the local drug situation in the first three quarters of 2017 at its quarterly meeting today (December 15). The total number of reported drug abusers has continued to decline, but the drug abuse problem among young adults still requires attention.

     According to the latest figures of the Central Registry of Drug Abuse (CRDA), the total number of reported drug abusers in the first three quarters of 2017 decreased by 21 per cent (from 7,005 to 5,499) as compared with the same period in 2016. The number of newly reported drug abusers decreased by 29 per cent (from 1,609 to 1,146), more than half of whom (51 per cent) were young adults aged between 21 and 35, indicating that drug abuse in this age group remains a cause for concern.

     The number of reported drug abusers aged under 21 registered a decrease of 19 per cent (from 433 to 351), of which the number of newly reported cases decreased by 15 per cent (from 296 to 252).

     The latest CRDA figures also revealed that the median drug abuse history of newly reported abusers (i.e. the time for abusers to be reported to the CRDA by reporting agencies from their first drug abuse) was four years, compared with 4.6 years in 2016.

     In the first three quarters of 2017, the total number of reported psychotropic substance abusers (PSAs) and narcotics analgesic abusers decreased by 29 per cent (from 4,445 to 3,165) and 10 per cent (from 3,456 to 3,106) respectively. Among the newly reported cases, the number of PSAs (1,014) was substantially higher than that of narcotics analgesic abusers (136), reflecting the continued prevalence of psychotropic substance abuse.

     Heroin remained the most common type of drug abused among all reported drug abusers, while the total number of reported heroin abusers decreased by 10 per cent (from 3,454 to 3,105).

     Methamphetamine (commonly known as "Ice"), with the number of reported abusers having decreased by 33 per cent (from 2,065 to 1,374), continued to be the most common type of psychotropic substance abused. Decreases were also recorded for other major types of psychotropic substances abused, including triazolam/midazolam/zopiclone (from 811 to 719), ketamine (from 1,127 to 507), cannabis (from 383 to 295), cough medicine (from 350 to 196), nimetazepam (from 21 to 20) and MDMA ("ecstasy") (from 45 to 19). An increase was recorded for cocaine (from 629 to 655).
      
     The CRDA figures for the first three quarters of 2017 are available on the website of the Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau (www.nd.gov.hk).
      
     The ACAN Chairman, Dr Ben Cheung, said, "Despite the decline in the total number of reported drug abusers, we should pay heed to the situation that over half of the newly reported drug abusers were young adults. We will continue to collaborate with various agencies and organisations in implementing preventive education and publicity programmes in schools, workplaces and venues frequented by young adults to enhance awareness of the drug problem, especially the harms caused by psychotropic substances such as 'Ice', cocaine and cannabis. In view of the growing popularity of new media, additional efforts will be made to disseminate anti-drug messages to this target group through social media platforms, mobile applications and popular websites."
      
     With the coming Christmas and New Year holidays, the ND and ACAN will step up anti-drug publicity efforts. After today's meeting, Dr Cheung; the Chairman of the ACAN Sub-committee on Preventive Education and Publicity, Dr Tik Chi-yuen; and the Commissioner for Narcotics, Ms Manda Chan; joined by the Chairman of the Wan Chai District Fight Crime Committee (DFCC), Mr Alexander Li and Vice-Chairman Ms Kathy Chung; and the Acting Divisional Commander of Wan Chai Division of the Hong Kong Police Force, Mr Eddie Chan; distributed anti-drug leaflets and souvenirs to members of the public at Paterson Street Pedestrian Precinct in Causeway Bay as a reminder of the need to stay away from drugs.
      
     Ms Chan said, "While enjoying the festivities, young people should remain vigilant and not be tempted to take drugs out of curiosity and peer pressure. Anyone with drug problems can call ND's 24-hour hotline 186 186 or use our instant messaging service 98 186 186 to seek assistance. The ND will also strengthen anti-drug publicity on public transport, in entertainment venues and on the Internet and social media platforms in the coming weeks."
      
     Other participants at today's event included ACAN members Mr Chan Wing-kin, Mr Chan Man-ho, Mr Fan Hoi-kit, Mr Hui Yung-chung and Mr Sunny Tan; members of the ACAN Sub-committee on Preventive Education and Publicity, Mr Poon Hing-fai and Miss Yung Wai-sum; and members of the Wan Chai DFCC Dr Jennifer Chow, Mr Joey Lee and Mr Yeung Ka-shing.
 
Ends/Friday, December 15, 2017
Issued at HKT 21:32
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Today's Press Releases  

Photo

The Narcotics Division of the Security Bureau and the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) today (December 15) held an anti-drug publicity event at Paterson Street Pedestrian Precinct in Causeway Bay to remind the public to stay vigilant against drug temptation during Christmas and New Year holidays. Attending the event are the ACAN Chairman, Dr Ben Cheung (third right); the Chairman of the ACAN Sub-committee on Preventive Education and Publicity, Dr Tik Chi-yuen (third left); the Commissioner for Narcotics, Ms Manda Chan (second left); the Chairman of the Wan Chai District Fight Crime Committee, Mr Alexander Li (second right) and Vice-Chairman Ms Kathy Chung (first right); the Acting Divisional Commander of Wan Chai Division of the Hong Kong Police Force, Mr Eddie Chan (first left).
The Chairman of the Action Committee Against Narcotics, Dr Ben Cheung (right), distributes leaflets and souvenirs at an anti-drug publicity event at Paterson Street Pedestrian Precinct in Causeway Bay today (December 15).
The Commissioner for Narcotics, Ms Manda Chan (centre), distributes leaflets and souvenirs to members of the public at an anti-drug publicity event at Paterson Street Pedestrian Precinct in Causeway Bay today (December 15) to remind them to stand firm against drug temptation while enjoying the seasonal festivities.