The total number of reported drug abusers fell 11% year-on-year to 5,617 in the first-half of the year, while the number of reported drug abusers aged under 21 dropped 37% to 476 people.
Action Committee Against Narcotics Chairman Prof Daniel Shek announced the figures today, saying they show drug use in Hong Kong continues to decline, particularly among young adults.
The number of new drug users decreased 19% to 1,044 and the number of people under 21 getting hooked on drugs fell 38% to 251.
Heroin is still the most commonly abused drug in Hong Kong, while ketamine is the most common psychotropic substance abused. Despite this, the number of heroin users fell 13% and ketamine users dropped by 22%.
Prof Shek said that despite the encouraging figures, the trend of hidden drug abuse remains a cause for concern.
He said the committee will work with the Government to address hidden drug abuse by pushing forward with the second stage of a public consultation on the RESCUE drug testing scheme.
