Speakers from different fields gathered to tackle the growing problem of drug abuse among young people at a seminar organised by the Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong.
According to government statistics, the number of reported individual drug abusers peaked in 1994 at more than 20,000. In 1999, the figure decreased to 16,000. However, the figure is on the rise again and in the first half of 2000, it was 14,000.
Detective Chief Inspector Joseph Yeung Chi-choi, from the Hong Kong Police Force Narcotics Bureau, said the number of people under aged 22 arrested for drug offences increased in 2000.
As people could get illegal drugs at rave parties and discos, he said the police would step up their checks on such places of entertainment to fight against drugs.
At present, more than 700 police officers deal with narcotic-related problems.
He said: 'Youth drug abuse is not only a law enforcement problem, it also involves other social problems. It needs co-op eration from all sectors of the community.'
Surveys have found that young people abuse drugs mainly because of curiosity, peer pressure and a lack of parental guidance; and to escape boredom or difficult circumstances.
