Tackling youth drug abuse is not just a matter of law enforcement, it requires preventive education, publicity, treatment, rehabilitation, research and external co-operation, Secretary for Justice Wong Yan Lung says.

Officiating at a reception celebrating the 2008 International Customs Day today Mr Wong said Hong Kong adopts a zero-tolerance approach towards drug-related crime.

"Our anti-drug strategy has successfully reduced the total number of drug abusers in the past 10 years. However, the number of young abusers of psychotropic substances has been increasing in the past three years and is causing the Government and our society at large serious concern. We simply cannot allow our new generation to be eroded by drug abuse," he said.

To tackle the problem, a high-level inter-departmental task force chaired by Mr Wong has been formed to ensuring a solid legal framework for the way forward.

"We are getting all relevant policy makers on board, covering other important areas, including preventive education and publicity, treatment and rehabilitation, research, and external co-operation."

Commissioner of Customs & Excise Richard Yuen said the problem requires co-operation and concerted action among different departments.

"Being the department responsible for protecting Hong Kong against smuggling of contraband and prohibited articles, Hong Kong Customs is at the forefront of the campaign against drug trafficking," Mr Yuen said.

It has increased the frequency of inspections targeting cross-boundary cars, coaches and buses, and deployed drug detector dogs.