'Ice' is the choice as clampdown trims heroin supply

Heroin is still the most widely used drug in Hong Kong. Recent figures released by the Government's Central Registry of Drugs show that more than 85 per cent of the territory's addicts are hooked on the white powder.

The massive market for the drug was graphically illustrated last April when a joint task force, led by mainland police and backed by police from the territory, intercepted the biggest haul of heroin in recent Chinese history.

After more than five months of exhaustive investigations, detectives from Guangzhou and Shenzhen seized 600 kilograms of Number 4 heroin on April 17. It was bound for Hong Kong. Justice came swiftly for the gang of international drug smugglers behind the shipment. Within weeks, seven of the key conspirators, including three Hong Kong men, were tried, convicted, sentenced and executed.

The haul, however, was to have lasting consequences. Taking out such a large supply of any product is bound to affect market dynamics and this was no exception. The price of heroin on the street went up and other drugs, especially amphetamine-based alternatives, grew popular.

Central Registry of Drugs figures show that while drug abuse among young people under the age of 21 had dropped by 11 per cent by December, more young drug users were getting their kicks from methylamphetamine, more commonly known as 'ice'.

Although the number of users is still small in comparison with heroin, the percentage of amphetamine users has risen tenfold.

Narcotics Bureau investigators say the change reflects a global trend and they predict that in years to come - albeit a good way down the road - heroin could be replaced by amphetamines as the drug of choice in Hong Kong.