Chapter 2
Drug Abuse in Hong Kong
Drug abuse is a serious and deep-rooted problem in Hong Kong. It is also many- sided, with social, cultural, economic, legal, medical and psychological implica- tions. It should, therefore, be viewed not merely on its own, but within the overall context of the place and its people.
2 Hong Kong is predominantly a Chinese community. It is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, with over 4.5 million people living in an area of 1,049 square kilometres. The density of its urban population (Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, New Kowloon and Tsuen Wan) averages 25,400 per square kilometre. Given this high population density and its social context, the complexity of Hong Kong's drug problem is self-evident.
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The exact number of drug addicts in Hong Kong is not known, but has been estimated to be between 60,000 to 100,000*. It is believed that 90 per cent of the addicts are on heroin and the remainder mainly on opium. On average, a heroin addict consumes 0.2 gramme a day and an opium addict consumes one gramme a day. Even if it is assumed that there are only 60,000 addicts, illicit drugs abused in Hong Kong each year would amount to 3,942 kilogrammes of heroin and 2,190 kilogrammes of opium. Based on the retail prices of the drugs at the end of 1976 ($134,000 per kilogramme of heroin and $37,800 per kilogramme of opium), the total sum involved would be in the region of $610 millions, almost equivalent to the Government's total estimated receipts from duties on hydrocarbon oils, liquor and tobacco in 1976-77.
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The typical profile of a drug addict in Hong Kong, as derived from the data collected in the Government's Central Registry of Drug Addicts, is of an adult male over 21, in the lower income group, generally employed as an unskilled or semi-skilled labourer, or factory process worker, with not more than five years primary education, living in overcrowded accommodation and single or, if married, usually separated from his family.
5 During the past two years, the proportion of addicts using the method of injection or "mainlining" heroin has increased. This is probably due to some addicts trying to get greater "mileage" out of their limited and expensive supplies. However, it should be noted that the great majority of heroin addicts in Hong Kong are still using the traditional methods of "chasing the dragon" and "playing the mouth organ". These involve heating number 3 heroin (heroin mixed with caffeine) on a piece of tin foil and inhaling the fumes through a paper tube or a match box cover. Addicts may also employ the “ack ack" method by smoking a heroin-stuffed cigarette in a vertical position so as to prevent the heroin granules from falling off. Initial addiction can stem from any method. (See illustration on p. 57.)
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The reasons generally given by addicts for experimenting with drugs are the influence of their friends, curiosity and an urge for fun and “kicks”. Some addicts
*There is as yet no fact-based data to support or disprove this estimate. It is hoped that more reliable indicators will be available in the next two years when the Central Registry of Drug Addicts, which is now undergoing a major re-organization, has collected sufficient data.
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mention the use of heroin to increase sexual ability and pleasure, to relieve fatigue, to mitigate the pain of certain diseases, and to escape from the frustra- tions of life.
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are other important, though indirect, causes that need to be taken into These include loosening of family ties, the generation gap and other social problems such as crime, corruption, education, inadequate housing and unemployment. In this connection, it is encouraging to note the progress made by the Government in tackling these, which helps indirectly to ameliorate the drug problem. For instance-
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(a) a 20 per cent decrease in the number of robberies was reported-from 11,120 in 1975 to 8,895 last year. In this respect the continuing debate in many countries on the relevant impact of crime and unemployment on drug abuse, and vice-versa, is noteworthy;
(b) the Independent Commission Against Corruption, which was established in January 1974, has had an increasing impact in reducing corruption in the Civil Service which feeds, inter alia, on evils such as drug addiction, prostitution and gambling;
(c) nearly two million people, or 45 per cent of the total population, have now been provided with Government-subsidized public housing. Although more and better public housing units are being completed every year, the demand continues to be high, as is the priority accorded to its satisfaction; (d) free primary education for all was achieved in 1971 and the current secondary education expansion programme will make it possible to provide every primary school leaver with a subsidized Form I school place by 1978. The total school population at present is over 1.3 millions; and (e) Hong Kong's recovery from the world-wide economic recession of 1974 had, by the end of 1976, very considerably reduced unemployment in its manufacturing and service industries.
The importance of providing healthy and meaningful alternatives to drug abuse is also recognized. Over the past ten years, the Government has been pushing a vigorous programme to expand cultural and recreational facilities for the public, and particularly for the teenagers. (Young people under the age of 20 represent over 40 per cent of Hong Kong's total population.) There are now more sports centres, playgrounds, swimming pools and community centres. Country parks are also being developed and extended. The Summer Youth Programme organized annually by government departments and voluntary agencies offers a wide range of recreational outlets for over a million young people during the long summer holidays. As their energy is diverted to healthy activities, the risks of young people joining the ranks of drug addicts are con- siderably reduced.
9 Achievements and progress in these areas have undoubtedly augmented the effectiveness of Hong Kong's anti-narcotics efforts. As mentioned in Chapter 1, there are indications that Hong Kong is containing the problem of its existing addict population, and is making a significant impact, through its prevention programmes, towards inhibiting the spread of drug abuse to the younger generation*.
*In a survey undertaken in 1974, based on the Central Registry of Drug Addicts, only 0.28 per cent of the 15-19 age-group were shown as addicted to drugs.
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