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factors, associated with drug use. The survey results will be ready for release in February 2010.

Three new research projects were launched in 2009:

• 'Research on urological sequelae of ketamine abuse';

• 'The dietary intake and body weight status of adolescent psychotropic substance abuser in Hong Kong an explorative study for improving drugs rehabilitation programme'; and

• 'Transnationalism and drug abuse: a study on the Nepalese drug abusers in Hong Kong.

These were in addition to four ongoing projects:

'Study of patterns of drugs of abuse in New Territories East cluster Substance Abuse Clinic using conventional and new technologies';

• 'Socioeconomic and health impacts of psychoactive drug abuse in Hong Kong - a longitudinal study',

• 'Long-term ketamine abuse and apoptosis in cynomologus monkeys and mice' and

• 'Effective ways to dispel misunderstanding about psychotropic substances in youth at risk for drug abuse problems'.

International Action and Regional Co-operation

In March, representatives from the ND and SWD joined the Chinese delegation to the 52nd session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs held in Vienna.

In May, representatives of the ND went to Singapore to attend a meeting of the National Council Against Drug Abuse (NCADA) and also visited the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) and various anti-drug services.

Co-operation with the Shenzhen authorities was stepped up to tackle the problem of cross-boundary drug abuse, particularly by young people from Hong Kong taking drugs in the Mainland.

The 'Path Builders' Initiative

A Path Builders programme was launched by ACAN and the ND in September 2008 to mobilise greater community support and to tap into the goodwill and resources of different sectors. Since then, over 140 organisations and 100 individuals have pledged support for it. The programme provides a platform where community resources can be effectively channelled to programmes and initiatives for young persons' healthy development. Business and professional organisations as well as individuals are encouraged to contribute in various ways, such as initiating programmes to disseminate anti-drug messages, providing internship or vocational training opportunities to young people, partnering with schools and NGOs to organise mentorship schemes, and granting donations to drug treatment and rehabilitation centres. To sustain the momentum and rally greater support from the

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