The total number of drug abusers has dropped in the past 10 years, Commissioner for Narcotics Rosanna Ure says. But she notes the number of poly-drug abusers - that are hooked on more than one subtance - rose from 13% in 1999 to 24% in 2004.

The Narcotics Division needs anti-drug professionals' support of the  in tackling the problem, she said, while treatment and rehabilitation services must be upgraded in view of the changing drug abuse patterns in Hong Kong.

The Government, non-governmental organisations, social workers and professionals in the anti-drug field must continue to work together to provide early identification and intervention services to poly-drug abusers, she added.

The Narcotics Division today introduced a revised protocol for poly-drug abusers to enhance frontline workers' knowledge and skills in assessing and screening them.

Course aims to equip frontline workers with skills

A CD-ROM of the protocol will be distributed to drug-treatment agencies and related organisations and government departments. The content will be available for download at the division's website.

To equip frontline social workers with knowledge and skills in providing drug treatment and rehabilitation services, a certificate course will be open for applications in mid-December. Classes will begin on February 7.