Drug abuse drops 17%

December 16, 2022

The total number of reported drug abusers in the first three quarters of the year fell 17% year-on-year to 4,122, the Action Committee Against Narcotics announced today.

 

According to the latest Central Registry of Drug Abuse figures, the number of reported drug abusers aged under 21 also declined by 21% to 589.

 

The most common types of drugs abused during the period were heroin, cocaine and cannabis, while the most common types among those aged under 21 were cannabis, cocaine and ketamine.

 

Among the arrestees of drug offences aged under 21 in the same period, those who were arrested for serious drug offences accounted for 66%, which is 16 percentage points higher than that of arrestees aged 21 or above.

 

Meanwhile, of the arrestees aged under 21 who were prosecuted for drug trafficking, nearly 80% were convicted.

 

Noting that the Government will list cannabidiol - known as CBD - as a drug from February 1 next year, the committee's Chairman Dr Donald Li urged the public to arrange early disposal of any CBD products in their possession.

 

When the legislation takes effect, it will be illegal to possess or trade CBD products and offenders may be subject to imprisonment and fines.

 

As the festive season is approaching, Dr Li reminded people to stay away from drugs when attending local gatherings or travelling outside Hong Kong and especially not to bring or traffic any drugs into the city.

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