The number of drug abusers fell 15.9% in the first half of 2003. The Central Registry of Drug Abuse recorded 9,433 cases, down from 11,211 in the same period last year.

Commissioner for Narcotics Clarie Lo attributed the fall to the joint efforts of the Government and non-government organisations in the anti-drug field.

The number of reported drug abusers under 21 also fell 37.9% from 1,796 in the first half of 2002 to 1,115 this year. The number of newly reported drug abusers aged under 21 dropped 32.8%, from 1,128 to 758. The overall number of newly reported drug abusers fell 22.6% from 2,651 to 2,052.

The most commonly abused drugs in all age groups were heroin (78.5%), ketamine (9.9%), triazolam/midazolam (9.3%) and cannabis (7.1%), while those commonly abused by people aged under 21 were ketamine (56.4%), Ecstasy (34.6%) and cannabis (32.1%).

Mrs Lo said the registry saw a drop in the overall number of abusers of most drug types, including a decrease in the number of psychotropic substance abusers, from 3,032 to 2,647.

The number of ketamine abusers fell 44.1% to 841, while heroin abusers dropped 14.5% to 6,652.

The number of young abusers of most types of drugs fell. The reported number of ketamine abusers aged under 21 fell 49.8% to 517, while Ecstasy users fell 42.8% to 317.

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

Police briefed Action Committee Against Narcotics members on nine drug-related deaths, involving four men and five women aged 17 to 37.

Mrs Lo cited one case of a 24-year-old woman with cannabis and ketamine habits. The cause of death was believed to be the adverse effects of ketamine, estazolam, morphine, codeine and alcohol.

She hoped the cases will remind people of the dangers of drug abuse and dispel any misconceptions that psychotropic substances are relatively harmless and non-addictive.

The meeting also discussed the findings of a study looking at the social, cultural, demographic and psychological factors associated with antecedents, progression and consequences of chronic drug abuse in Hong Kong, and recommend improvements in treatment, rehabilitation and support services for chronic abusers.

Research showed self-efficacy, support from non-drug using friends, satisfaction with life, job attitude and legal employment were found to have a positive effect on addicts.

"The research provides a scientific and useful reference to all agencies providing treatment and rehabilitation services in considering their programme design. It underscores the importance of support of non-drug using friends and inculcating a correct job attitude in drug dependent persons during rehabilitation," Mrs Lo said.