A research report on cross-boundary substance abuse by youths has found a significant proportion of them used more than one type of drug when on the Mainland.

Endorsed by the Action Committee Against Narcotics Sub-committee on Research, the study, Research on Cross-Boundary Substance Abuse Problem among Youths in Hong Kong, was launched in May 2002 and the final report was completed in December.

It looked at profiles of cross-boundary substance abusers and recommends strategies and preventive education and publicity measures to tackle the problem.

The study is in two parts, a quantitative study conducted at Lo Wu Terminal, which is the main part of the report, and a small-scale focus group study.

The quantitative study employed the 'convenience quota sampling method'. A total of 6,420 people aged 18 to 30 were interviewed at Lo Wu, 56% of the number of travellers contacted by the research team.

Among 5,138 male and 1,282 female respondents, 1,167 males and 122 females said they had abused drugs on the Mainland in the 12 months before the survey.

Ecstasy and ketamine most popular

It showed the most commonly abused substances were ecstasy and ketamine, followed by cannabis. A significant proportion of the reported substance abusers used more than one type of drug.

About 80% of abusers used drugs with their friends, and more than half obtained them from friends free.

The most popular reasons for abusing drugs on the Mainland were the lower price, peer influence, and relative ease in obtaining them.

The focus group study surveyed 25 drug abusers aged 18 to 29. They were all either referred by social workers or recruited from the participants in the quantitative study. 

The three popular reasons for cross-boundary substance abuse given by the focus group study were similar to those mentioned in the quantitative study. In addition, some subjects of the focus groups also cited the "better atmosphere of the entertainment venues on the Mainland" and "relatively lenient law enforcement".

More effort needed to tackle cross-boundary drug use

In view of the findings, the report made the following recommendations:

* enhance drug prevention education and publicity programmes, especially those targeting vulnerable youth and cross-boundary travellers; and,

* incorporate related risk behaviours into anti-drug prevention education programmes, as well as enhancing co-operation with the Mainland.

Since the findings revealed the importance of peer influence among young drug abusers, the Government will attach greater importance to urging youngsters to resist peer pressure on drug abuse when designing preventive education and publicity programmes.

The Narcotics Division will continue to liaise closely with relevant authorities from Guangdong and Macau.

To further encourage non-government organisations to strengthen their support for young people who may abuse substances outside Hong Kong, the division will accord top priority to Beat Drugs Fund applications, which address cross-boundary substance abuse problems with innovative ideas.