PUBLIC ORDER
Drug Abuse
Statistics on drug abuse are supplied by the Central Registry of Drug Abuse (CRDA). Information of drug abusers is collated by the Registry through a wide network of reporting agencies, including law enforcement departments, treatment and welfare agencies, hospitals and clinics. During the year, about 17 900 drug abusers were reported to the Registry. Of these, 29 per cent were newly reported cases, 17 per cent were aged under 21 and 82 per cent were male. The proportion of drug abusers in the population remained relatively small at about three per thousand.
Heroin was the most common drug of abuse in Hong Kong. It was abused by 74 per cent of the persons reported to the Registry. In comparison with the past, a larger proportion of persons reported to the Registry abused psychotropic substances (35 per cent). The most common psychotropic substances of abuse included ketamine (17 per cent), 'ecstasy' (9 per cent), cannabis (8 per cent), and triazolam/midazolam (8 per cent). About 19 per cent of the drug abusers were reported to have abused more than one drug.
Research
Drug-related research studies are coordinated by the ACAN Subcommittee on Research. The findings of these studies provide useful references to facilitate the Government's planning of anti-drug strategies and programmes. During the year, two new projects were identified for implementation. Another four studies were carried forward, and one of them was completed during the year.
The computerised CRDA serves to monitor changes in trends and characteristics of the drug abuser population in Hong Kong, and maintains useful statistics. Two half-yearly reports on the drug abusers population and profiles were published.
International Action
Hong Kong continued to participate proactively in international action against drug abuse, drug trafficking and money laundering. Apart from observing its obligations. under the three major United Nations conventions concerning narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, it also maintained close links with the United Nations, the World Health Organisation, Interpol, the World Customs Organisation, and other governments, with a view to ensuring Hong Kong's anti-drug work on various fronts remained in step with the current international standards and requirements.
On the anti-money laundering front, Hong Kong is a member of the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF) as well as a founding member of the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering. In recognition of Hong Kong's achievements in combating money laundering, 'Hong Kong, China' was selected as the President of the FATF for 2001-02. The Commissioner for Narcotics, as the central coordinator of Hong Kong's anti-money laundering efforts, represented Hong Kong in this role. Under the presidency of Hong Kong, the FATF had made significant progress in its work relating to fighting money laundering including, among other steps, the launching of a comprehensive review of the FATF Forty Recommendations the internationally recognised standards for combating money laundering. Another important achievement was the adoption, in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States, of the Eight Special Recommendations on Terrorist Financing in October that year. This set of
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