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SCMP Reporter

Society has long been concerned by the problem of drug abuse.

  The Central Registry of Drug Abuse (CRDA), maintained by the Narcotics Division of the Government Secretariat, provides information used to monitor trends and characteristics of Hong Kong drug abusers.

  In 1996, a total of 19,626 drug abusers were reported to the CRDA, representing an increase of 1.5 per cent over the 1995 total of 19,343.

  Nevertheless, the number of drug abusers in Hong Kong has remained relatively stable over the past two years.

  The upward trend of drug abuse among young people observed in the 1990s has been reversed over the past two years.

  In 1996, there were 3,629 drug abusers under the age of 21 reported to the CRDA, representing a decrease of nine per cent when compared with 3,988 in 1995, (see Chart One).

   Female drug abusers represent about 10 per cent of the total. However, the upward trend of drug abuse among females since 1992 has persisted.

  The reported figure for 1996 is 2,417, representing an increase of 4.1 per cent, as compared with 2,321 in 1995, (Chart Two).

  Regarding age breakdown, there is a significant difference between the sexes.

  In 1996, while 43.7 per cent of male drug abusers were under 31, the corresponding figure for females was 72.6 per cent. Also, 31.8 per cent of male drug abusers were aged over 40, whereas the corresponding figure for females was 9.9 per cent.

  The age statistics suggest female drug abusers tended to be younger than their male counterparts. The 1996 mean age for the female group was 26, while that for males was 34.

  Heroin continued to be the most popular drug among abusers. In 1996, of the 18,593 abusers reported to the CRDA, 86.8 per cent were known to have abused heroin.

  Other commonly abused drugs were cannabis (8.4 per cent), cough medicine (three per cent), amphetamines (2.9 per cent) and triazolam (2.9 per cent).

  The statistical information is supplied by a wide network of agencies, including law enforcement and treatment organisations, welfare groups, hospitals and clinics.

  Although the reporting network is quite comprehensive, it is not possible for the CRDA to ascertain the exact size of the population abusing drugs in Hong Kong, as data is reported on a voluntary basis.

   Also, there may be people who never become known to the reporting agencies and organisations.

  Statistics in this article should therefore be taken as an indication of drug abuse trends over time rather than an exact reflection of the situation.

  For more information on this series of articles, please write to the General Statistics Branch (2) of the Census & Statistics Department at Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, or call 2582 4004 The past two years has seen Hong Kong's total number of drug abusers levelling off - but females are bucking the positive trend Females represent 10 per cent of the total Heroin continues to be most abused drug 



Spotlight on drugs menace