The percentage of students admitting to have taken heroin fell to 0.3% last year from 0.9% in 2000, while the figure for psychotropic drugs fell to 0.7% from 2.1%, according to a survey.

The most common psychotropic substances were ketamine (53.2%), cannabis (50.7%), ecstasy (46.5%) and cough medicine (20.6%).

About 97% of secondary students have never used drugs. But 1.9% have been offered heroin and 3.1% have been offered a psychotropic substance. Nearly 60% refused the drugs directly and about 15% used excuses to turn down the offers.

The survey, commissioned by the Action Committee Against Narcotics and the Security Bureau's Narcotics Division, covered all secondary students in ordinary day schools, international schools, and the Institute of Vocational Education with more than 95,000 questionnaires collected.

Good results

Committee chairman Dr Choi Yuen-wan said it is very encouraging to learn the number of students who claimed they had used drugs in the 30 days prior to answering the questionnaire had dropped.

Noting similar patterns for students who claimed they had never taken drugs, he said they refused because of strong will and fear of the consequences, showing anti-drug educational efforts have reaped results.

Dr Choi said a great majority of students and even users, did not approve of drug taking. But it was found that drug-taking students had lower confidence in solving problems and dealing efficiently with unexpected events.

Commissioner for Narcotics Rosanna Ure said it is important to equip students and parents with drug knowledge and skills.

She said the division will work with non-government organisations to equip parents with the knowledge and skills to protect their children from drugs.

Education programme

The survey findings showed students preferred ex-drug abusers, artistes or pop singers and medical professionals to deliver drug information.

Mrs Ure said the education programmes and messages will be fine-tuned to target the respective risk and protective factors of different groups.