Drug fighters: Commissioner for Narcotics Sally Wong (third right) and the Action Committee Against Narcotics.

The number of drug abusers fell to 13,204 last year, down 6.4% on 2005, the Narcotics Division says.

At a meeting of the Action Committee Against Narcotics today, the division said the number of drug abusers aged 21 and over dropped 10% while abusers under 21 rose 12% to 2,549.

Heroin remained the most popular drug abused but the number of abusers fell 17%. Ketamine is the most popular psychotropic substance abused, with the number of abusers rising 45% to 3,045.

A significant rise was recorded for abusers of nimetazepam (also known as 'Erimin' or Erimin 5'), from 227 to 456. The increase was found mostly among those aged under 21, from 152 to 340.

About 11.3% of abusers took drugs on the Mainland and 39.6% of them were aged under 21.

Publicity drive

Commissioner for Narcotics Sally Wong said television announcements on the harmful effects of ketamine and ecstasy are being broadcast through the mass media and on KCR trains. They will be shown on outdoor television systems and in MTR stations during the summer holidays and Christmas.

Panel posters at Lo Wu KCR Station and advertisements on bus bodies and bus shelters will be displayed during long holidays.

A television series of 10 one-minute episodes will be produced to spread anti-drug messages. VCDs of the programme will be distributed to schools and non-government organisations.

The division will launch a new drug education kit to disseminate anti-drug messages in schools and the consequences of cross-boundary drug abuse.

Under the Sponsorship Scheme on Anti-cross-boundary Drug Abuse Projects, $680,000 was granted for organising 18 anti-drug education and publicity programmes.