Cases of drug abuse by young people rose 22.4 per cent in the first half of the year to 2,064, compared with 1,686 in the same period last year, the Central Registry of Drug Abuse shows.
Overall drug cases rose to 8,657 in the first half, up 3.6 per cent on the same period last year. Heroin remained the most commonly used illegal drug, but the number of heroin users in the first half dropped 3.8 per cent year on year to 4,643.
There were 4,734 reported users of psychotropic substances in the first half, with ketamine remaining the most common. Reported ketamine users in the first half rose to 2,858, up 28.1 per cent, with 61 per cent of them were aged under 21.
The number of cocaine users surged 63.7 per cent to 401 in the first half, while the number of users of triazolam, midazolam or zopiclone fell 34.1 per cent year on year. The number of users of Ecstasy, cannabis and nimetazepam declined 8.6, 4.1 and 17.9 per cent respectively.
A quarterly meeting yesterday of the Action Committee Against Narcotics noted that the top three places where young people used drugs were at home or a friend's home (65.5 per cent), a recreation area, public garden or public toilet (40.7 per cent) and a disco or karaoke (32.6 per cent).
The committee said it would promote a youth-care initiative called Path Builders, recommended by the Task Force on Youth Drug Abuse. Committee chairman Choi Yuen-wan said: 'We welcome all in society to become Path Builders to pave the way for our young generation.'