No efforts will be spared in combating the youth drug-abuse problem, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee says, adding his bureau will take measures and bolster partnerships with the community in the anti-drug fight.

The measures include stepping up ties between schools and Police, organising seminars for teachers and social workers on anti-drug education, engaging parents actively in drug-abuse prevention education for their children, and intensifying publicity targeting young people.

Responding to lawmakers' questions on the recent case of students suspected of abusing drugs in school, Mr Lee said the administration is concerned about the situation.

Early intervention

To address the psychotropic substance abuse problem among the youth, early intervention services have been enhanced, including body check and early treatment services as well as preventive education.

Five counselling centres for psychotropic substance abusers have been provided with additional resources since April to boost outreach services and collaborate with other stakeholders to identify young drug abusers for early treatment.

Pilot scheme

To tap medical practitioners' expertise, address abusers' medical needs, and widen the network for preventive education and early intervention, a pilot co-operation scheme between private doctors and social workers will be launched in 2007-08. It will involve body checks and early treatment services.

According to the Central Registry of Drug Abuse, the number of reported young drug abusers aged under 21 rose 12% from 2005, to 2,549 last year.