The number of reported drug abusers fell 5.2% to 14,087 last year. The Central Registry of Drug Abuse said the fall was mainly attributable to the drop in heroin abusers.

Overall abusers under 21 rose 3.3% to 2,255, while abusers of psychotropic substances rose 5.5% to 2,163. Ketamine remained the most popular psychotropic substance and two-thirds of its abusers were under 21. However, the overall number of ketamine abusers fell 19.1% to 2,090.

There was a general rise in use of most other popular types of psychotropic substances, such as ecstasy, ice, triazolam, midazolam, zopiclone, and cough medicine.

The proportion of multiple drug abusers rose from 24.1% to 29.1%, from 3,502 to 4,037.

Priority action

Action Committee Against Narcotics chairman Dr Choi Yuen-wan said today that tackling the prevalence of psychotropic substance abuse, particularly among young people, will be prioritised.

"On the preventive education, treatment and rehabilitation fronts, the committee noted that some innovative initiatives would be launched in the coming months. These will broadly reflect the emphasis of anti-drug strategy promulgated in the 4th 3-Year Plan on Drug Treatment & Rehabilitation services and the latest drug trends," Dr Choi said.

Commissioner for Narcotics Rosanna Ure said the growing popularity of psychotropic substance abuse among youngsters reaffirmed the Narcotics Division's emphasis on this phenomenon and programmes are designed with this target group in mind.

"By strengthening preventive education, we hope to impart upon young people the relevant drug knowledge so that they know why and how to stay away from drugs," Mrs Ure said.

School debates

Other than maximising the use of the Jockey Club Drug InfoCentre to serve as an educational platform for youngsters, the division will organise an inter-school English debating competition on the anti-drug theme jointly with the Youth Outreach & Drug Awareness Committee of the International Association of Lions Clubs District 303.

Mrs Ure said more than 40 secondary schools will take part. Students will research the subject to enhance their drug knowledge. Participants are expected to share their knowledge with other students, thereby playing the 'multiplier' role.

Drug education for other stakeholders, like parents, is also essential in the war against drugs, she said, adding early intervention is key to preventing these abusers from forming a drug habit.

The division will organise a number of seminars for parents to equip them with techniques to handle teenage emotions and needs.