XN000022-1995-06-20 — Page 6

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The quarterly statistical summary also compared some characteristics among reported drug abusers under 21 with the figures in the first quarter of last year.

It was noted that the number of young addicts in several districts has been increased, such as Tuen Mun (14.8 per cent to 16.3 per cent) and Yuen Long (6.3 per cent to 9.0 per cent), while a decrease was recorded for Wong Tai Sin, from 8.4 per cent to 3.9 per cent.

A slight decrease was observed in the mean initial age of drug abuse from 15.7 to 15.6. The percentage of multiple drug abusers and psychotropic substance abusers has dropped from 14.9 per cent to 9.7 per cent and from 31.0 per cent to 29.4 per cent, respectively.

The percentage of drug abusers under 21 without a job has increased from 47.5 per cent to 50.9 per cent while those with previous conviction has grown from 54.6 per cent to 58.1 per cent.

The quarterly statistics also highlighted that drug abusers under 21 commonly report taking drugs under peer influence (50.0 per cent), out of curiosity (44 per cent) or for relief of boredom, depression or anxiety (21.1 per cent). Some also claimed to take to avoid withdrawal symptom (20.5 per cent) or to seek euphoria or sensory satisfaction (10.4 per cent).

End/Tuesday, June 20, 1995

Governor's monthly anti-drugs visit

The Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, will visit the women's treatment centre run by the Society for the Aid and Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers (SARDA) tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon to familiarise himself with services provided to women drug abusers seeking to free themselves from opiate addiction.

This is the fourth in a series of visits to agencies contributing to the reduction of drug abuse following the summit meeting chaired by the Governor in March.

The centre the Sister Aquinas Memorial Women's Treatment Centre - was first established in Wan Chai in 1968 and moved to its present location in Sun Chui Estate, Sha Tin, in 1986.