There were 8,208 drug abusers reported in this year's first half, up 1.7% on a year earlier. The number of drug abusers under 21 rose 10.7%, to 1,646, according to the Central Registry of Drug Abuse.

The proportion of reported young abusers under 21 - 20.1% - was higher than the 18.4% recorded in the first half of 2006.

Heroin remained the most popular type of drug abused but the number of reported users was 8.1% lower on last year. Ketamine was the most common type of psychotropic substance abused, with the number of reported ketamine users up 37.1%, to 2,150. Among them, 60.5% were under 21.

The number of newly reported people abusing drugs was 1,974, 19.6% higher than a year earlier, while the number of previously reported people was 2.9% lower.

Commissioner for Narcotics Sally Wong said the statistics showed the youth drug-abuse problem is still a concern, and the Government is determined to tackle it without delay.

Anti-drug task force

A task force, led by the Secretary for Justice, will liaise closely with the Action Committee Against Narcotics and the relevant sectors to collect views and ideas through the existing fight-crime and anti-drug networks.

Action Committee Against Narcotics Chairman Dr Choi Yuen-wan said anti-drug efforts have reduced the total number of drug abusers in the last decade. However, the steady increase in the number of young abusers indicates the need for a new approach to deal with the problem.

He said committee members will meet the Secretary for Justice to exchange views on the issue.