The total number of reported drug abusers fell 13% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2020, the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) announced today.

However, the committee noted that the figure might have been affected by the COVID-19 situation, as reporting agencies might have come into contact with fewer drug abusers due to the pandemic.

According to Central Registry of Drug Abuse (CRDA) figures, the total number of drug abusers for the first quarter of the year was 1,896, while the number of drug abusers aged under 21 fell 15% to 138 compared with the same period last year.

Figures showed that the total number of reported narcotic analgesic abusers increased 5% to 1,128 year-on-year.

The total number of reported psychotropic substance abusers also fell 27% to 969 for the period.

Heroin remained the most common type of drug abused, with the number of reported abusers increasing 5% year-on-year to 1,126.

The number of reported cannabis abusers decreased 13% year-on-year to 159.

For reported young drug abusers aged below 21, cannabis remained the most popular type of psychotropic substance abused, although the number of abusers decreased 14% to 62 year-on-year.

“As revealed by the figures of the CRDA, cannabis abuse among young people calls for attention. Parents are encouraged to learn and understand the harm of cannabis together with their children,” ACAN Chairman Dr Ben Cheung said.

With the summer holiday approaching, the Narcotics Division and ACAN will step up anti-drug publicity on the harm of cannabis and the importance to resist its temptations.