The total number of reported drug abusers in the first three quarters of 2007 was 10,996, with the number of young drug abusers up 9.5% on a year earlier to 2,255, the Action Committee Against Narcotics says.

The proportion of young abusers was 20.5%, also higher than the 18.9% recorded in the same period in 2006.

Heroin remained the most common type of drug abused but the number of users fell 9.5% on a year earlier.

Ketamine was the most common psychotropic substance abused, especially among young people. The number of abusers rose 29% to 3,038, with 58.5% aged under 21. The number of 'ice' and cocaine abusers also grew 26% to 823 and 58.5% to 450.

Commissioner for Narcotics Sally Wong called on youngsters to stay alert and guard against the temptation of drugs during the festive season, adding ketamine, ecstasy, ice, cannabis, cocaine and other drugs will cause irrecoverable damage to the brain and health.

Taking drugs is an offence warranting seven years' jail and a $1-million fine.

Action Committee Against Narcotics Chairman Dr Choi Yuen-wan said Hong Kong needs to have continuous exchanges with the Mainland where anti-drug work has been developing rapidly.