XN000022-1995-11-08 — Page 42

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Reply:

Mr President,

(a) The statistics required in part (a) of the question are presented in tables 1 to 3, which are tabled before this Council.

(b) There is an upward trend in the total number of young drug abusers reported during 1992 to 1994. However, the number of young drug abusers reported in the first six months of 1995 dropped by over 8 per cent from 2651 in the corresponding period in 1994 to 2436. Members may also wish to note that there is a more significant drop, by 44 per cent, in the number of newly reported young drug abusers, from 1600 in the first six months of 1994 to 1108 in the corresponding period in 1995. It is too early to regard this as a reversing trend since this has to be sustained over a longer period of time. We will continue to combat the drug problem vigorously and I hope our re-doubled efforts will bear fruit and reduce the problem.

A Survey of Young Drug Abusers conducted by the Narcotics Division last year revealed that curiosity and to identify with peers were the main reasons for initial drug use among youths. In terms of the satisfaction they derived from drug taking, "to forget about trouble" was ranked the highest, followed by "to get high" and "to relax".

An upward trend is also noted in the total number of female drug abusers reported since 1992. However, the number of newly reported female abusers in the first six months of 1995 dropped by 13 per cent from 521 in the corresponding period in 1994 to 453. The Action Committee Against Narcotics has commissioned the Chinese University of Hong Kong to undertake a research study on female drug abusers, with a view to delineating the unique characteristics of female drug abusers and the factors leading to their drug abuse. This study will also throw some light on specific prevention and treatment strategies for dealing with female drug abusers. The findings of the study will be available towards the end of next year.

(c) We have developed a range of treatment programmes, using a number of treatment methods, to cater for the varying needs of different drug abusers. In the treatment of dependence on opiate drugs such as heroin, there are three main types of government-funded treatment programmes a compulsory placement programme in Drug Addiction Treatment Centres run by the Correctional Services Department, a voluntary out-patient methadone programme provided by the Department of Health, and a voluntary in-patient programme run by the Society for the Aid and Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers (SARDA). On top of these, there are nine voluntary agencies providing religious therapeutic services for opiate abusers.