The total number of reported drug abusers last year fell to 13,909, down 2.3% on 2008, the Action Committee Against Narcotics was told at its quarterly meeting today.

According to Central Registry of Drug Abuse statistics, the number of reported young abusers under the age of 21 fell to 3,359, down 3.3%. However, the number of newly reported female abusers aged under 16 grew 28.6% to 337, while the number of reported female abusers aged under 21 rose 6.8% to 1,145.

Heroin remained the most common drug abused, although the number of heroin abusers fell 4.8%. There were 8,424 reported psychotropic substance abusers, while there were 6,917 reported abusers of narcotic analgesics. Ketamine remained the most common psychotropic substance abused, with the number of abusers up 2.2% to 5,212. Of these abusers, 53.9% were under 21.

The number of reported cough medicine abusers rose 18.2%, while those using triazolam, midazolam or zopiclone grew 2.6% and ice abusers increased by 0.9%.

Decreases in the number of abusers were recorded for ecstasy (-36.2%), cocaine (-26.6%), cannabis (-19.8%) and nimetazepam (-12.6%).

Among young abusers, 71% opted to take drugs at home or at a friends' home, which reflects the hidden nature of youth drug abuse. Other popular localities were recreation areas, public gardens or public toilets (43.4%) and discos or karaoke parlours (29.2%).

The most common reasons for taking drugs were to identify with peers (55.8%), to relieve boredom, depression or anxiety (51.8%) and for curiosity (39.9%).