Drug use among local teens remains hidden because it is rarely addressed
Youth drug use is a sensitive subject, but not addressing it can be even more dangerous, writes Dr Anisha Abraham
Fifteen-year-old Sarah is an accomplished violinist. But lately she seems to be losing interest in the instrument - and in any kind of extracurricular activity. Her grades have dropped and she's also having problems focusing at home.
Meanwhile, Andrew's parents are concerned that he is suffering from depression. The 17-year-old seems more aloof from his family, often hanging out with his friends at a nearby park on weekends. He suffers frequent colds and bouts of bronchitis, and sometimes his eyes appear very red.
The perception that addiction reflects poorly on families keeps teens out of rehab
What do the teens have in common? Both are using drugs.
Young people aged under 21 years form the biggest proportion of new drug users (one third of users or about 1,000 teens) according to the 2012 Central Registry of Drug Abuse (CRDA) survey , which compiles statistics reported by local hospitals, clinics and other agencies.
Although the rates of teen drug use in Hong Kong are lower than in Western countries, there is a significant concern that reported cases are just the tip of the iceberg, as a lot recreational drug use among local teenagers remains hidden.
Adolescence is an important time for physical and psychological development. Using addictive substances at this juncture is particularly dangerous because young people's brains are still growing. However, there is a widespread misconception among teens that certain drugs such as ketamine and marijuana are less harmful than "hard" narcotics such as heroin and cocaine.