TNAG-0690-FCO40-839-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 90

E/CN.7/594 page 15

The abuse of drugs is associated with petty thefts, robbery and deviancy. were 434 seizures of cannabis and 125 of psychotropic substances.

There

A survey of

2 078 high school and college students, selected by sampling, reveals that 15.1 per cent have used marijuana at least once.

74. SINGAPORE It is estimated that 5000 persons are addicted to heroin,

3 000 to morphine and 3 000 to opium. Heroin addiction has substantially increased as compared with previous years. Heroin is taken by persons under 30 years of age and its abuse is usually associated with entertainment circles, such as musicians, gamblers, etc. Morphine addicts usually start with subcutaneous injection, progressing to intravenous injection. They are mainly ex-chronic opium smokers or young drug users who stepped from cannabis and methaqualone. Opium is taken by smoking and orally (opium residue) mostly by persons over 40 years of age who belong to the lower income groups. There were 3 304 persons arrested for opiate offences, of whom 2 263 for heroin. These figures have also increased markedly as compared with the information in previous reports. It is estimated that 5 000 persons abused cannabis (smoking) mostly under 20 years of age. The number of persons arrested for cannabis offences was 550. This number shows an increase as compared with the information in previous reports. It is estimated that there are 1 000 Mandrax abusers (under 20 years of age) which indicates a decrease as compared with 4 000 in 1974. There were also 347 offences involving methaqualone. Mandrax methagualonė are usually taken in combination with cannabis. In general, it is noted that drug abuse is associated with behavioural problems.

75. SRI LANKA The quasi-medical use of opium is authorized by law. While data on the extent of drug abuse are not available, it is noted that persons treated for drug abuse in hospitals and special clinics are most commonly addicted to opium and cannabis. It is also reported that opium, cannabis and psychotropic substances are smuggled into the country.

There are

76. THAILAND 19/ According to available indicators, drug addiction is a serious problem in this country. While traditional opium addiction persists, addiction to heroin is increasingly spreading in most parts of the country, mostly in the urban areas. During 1975, 25 429 opiate addicts were treated in different hospitals; of these, 24 229 (95.3%) persons abused heroin, 724 (2.8%) opium and 476 (1.9%) other opiates. Opiates are taken mostly by smoking. The number of treated heroin addicts markedly increased as compared with the previous report. two distinct age groups of persons abusing opiates: the older, who have been taking drugs (mainly opium) for several years and, the younger, having a tendency towards the abuse of heroin and the combination of drugs. The following rates of opium addiction are found among the hill tribe populations: 10 per cent Meo, 12 per cent Lahu and 16 per cent Yao. Opium has been used by the hill tribes for the treatment of sick persons against pain, cough and diarrhoea. Among the persons hospitalized for drug abuse during 1975, there were also several hundreds of persons abusing LSD; others abused either cannabis, barbiturates, tranquillizers, stimulants or kratom. Of the 5 099 persons hospitalized for narcotic addiction in Thanyarak Hospital during the same year, 4978 (97.6%) were males; 2 883 (56.7%) were under 30 years of age; 1 661 (32.6%) belonged to the 20-24 age group. The most common combinations in multiple drug abuse are: tranquillizers/analgesics;

19/ Report of the Thailand Central Bureau of Narcotics.

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