The sequel to an award-winning television documentary series will premiere February 25 to arouse public awareness of the harmful effects of drug abuse.

Produced by Radio Television Hong Kong with sponsorship from the Beat Drugs Fund, Anti-drugs Special II is a nine-episode docu-drama series on adapted cases of rehabilitated drug abusers. It will be screened on TVB Jade at 7pm Tuesdays until April 22.

The programme also reminds viewers, especially youngsters, of the serious consequences of drug trafficking.

The first series, funded by the Action Committee Against Narcotics, was produced and broadcast in 1999. One of the episodes, entitled Father & Son, was awarded a Finalist Certificate (Young Adult Programme) at the New York Festival 1999.

Commissioner for Narcotics Clarie Lo said that although drug abuse was contained last year, the fight against it will not be let up.

Mrs Lo said preventive education and publicity measures, such as the TV series, will be enhanced to tackle the problem.

She said there were 17,868 drug abusers reported last year, representing a drop of 3.5% compared to 18,511 the year before.

The most commonly abused drugs were heroin (74%), ketamine (16.8%) and ecstasy (8.6%).