ENG-2009 — Page 389

Public Order | 317

A new web portal serving as an engaging, informative and useful one-stop internet anti-drug resource centre is being developed to engage young people on the internet. The Beat Drugs Fund also funded projects to reach out to young people and at-risk youth through the internet.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Drug InfoCentre continued to serve as a platform for promoting anti-drug messages among different sectors of the community. During the year, the centre received 25 474 visitors, including students, youth groups, district bodies, community organisations, overseas delegations, parent-teacher associations, uniformed groups, and other community organisations.

Drug Abuse, Statistics and Trends

Statistics on drug abuse are compiled by the Central Registry of Drug Abuse. It collates information about drug abusers obtained from a wide network of reporting agencies, including law enforcement departments, treatment and welfare agencies, hospitals and clinics.

In 2009, 13 909 drug abusers were recorded in the registry, 32 per cent were new cases, 24 per cent were aged under 21, and 80 per cent were males. Heroin continued to be the most commonly abused drug in Hong Kong, with 50 per cent of drug abusers recorded in the registry being heroin abusers. The proportion of psychotropic substance abusers among all reported drug abusers has grown noticeably over the years, reaching 61 per cent in 2009. Psychotropic substances commonly abused include ketamine (38 per cent), triazolam/midazolam/zopiclone (10.1 per cent) and ice (10 per cent). About 22 per cent of drug abusers in 2009 were reported to have abused more than one drug.

Some 11 per cent of drug abusers were reported to have taken drugs in the Mainland, mostly in Shenzhen. Forty-two per cent of drug abusers were reported to have taken drugs only in their own homes or in friends' homes, another 35 per cent at both homes and other localities such as recreation areas, public gardens, public toilets and discos or karaoke halls. The remaining 23 per cent took drugs wherever convenient.

Research

Findings from drug-related research studies provide useful evidence-based references to facilitate the Government's formulation of anti-drug strategies and programmes. During the year, a study comparing the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicines with Western medications in short-term and long-term heroin detoxifications and in the treatment of adverse symptoms caused by psychotropic drugs was completed.

The field work of a regular Survey of Drug Use among Students was completed. Analysis was done to find out the latest drug abuse situation among students from upper primary to university, the drug abuse patterns and other related characteristics of drug-taking students, students' attitudes towards and knowledge of drug abuse, and other related variables, such as attitudinal, behavioural, school and family