LEGCO QUESTION NO. 12
(Written Reply)
Date of Sitting : 29 November 2000
Asked by : Hon LAU Kong-wah
Replied by : Secretary for Security
Question :
According to the latest information from the Narcotics Division of the
Security Bureau, the number of adolescent psychotropic drug abusers has
increased by 38% over last year. In this connection, will the Government
inform this Council:
(a)
in terms of quantity, of the five most popular types of psychotropic
drugs abused by adolescents last year and their respective side
effects;
(b)
of the measures in place to help adolescents know more about the
composition and side effects of the drugs, and whether such
measures include distributing information pamphlets or holding
talks both inside and outside schools; and
(c)
whether, in order to assist front-line social workers in counselling
adolescent abusers, it has regularly provided them with
comprehensive and up-to-date information on psychotropic drugs as
well as other forms of support from time to time?
Reply
Madam President,
(a)
According to the information provided by the Central Registry of
Drug Abuse, the five most commonly abused psychotropic
substances, in order of extent of abuse by adolescents during the 12
months from the second half of 1999 to the first half of 2000 are
ecstasy, cannabis, ketamine, “ice” (methylamphetamine) and cough
medicine.
The side effects of these drugs are as follows:
ecstasy :
dehydration,
exhaustion,
muscle
overheating, convulsion, collapse.
Cannabis :
disoriented
behaviour,
impaired
judgement,
bronchitis, conjunctivitis, endocrine disorders.
Ketamine :
drowsiness, dizziness, sedation, depression, loss of
memory, impaired cognitive functioning.
“Ice” :
insomnia, depression, toxic psychosis, loss of appetite,
heart and kidney failure
Cough Medicine :
(b)
breakdown,
dependence, respiratory depression, toxic
psychosis, constipation, loss of appetite,
dizziness.
The Narcotics Division produces and regularly updates information
materials on drugs, including publicity posters disseminating
anti-drug messages, a drug wall chart setting down the properties as
well as side effects of different kinds of commonly abused drugs
with pictures of the drugs described, and leaflets on drug refusal
skills. In view of the recent rising trend of psychotropic drug
abuse, the Narcotics Division has produced a series of detailed
information leaflets on individual psychotropic substances, which
are distributed to adolescents, teachers and parents at various
preventive education and publicity activities. With high-risk youth
as the target, post cards on the properties and harmful side effects of
commonly abused drugs are also being produced. It is planned
that such materials would be displayed in places where adolescents
love to linger such as party venues, bars and music stores for
distribution.
Educational activities in schools include drug talks held by the
Narcotics Division and non-government organisations to students
ranging from primary five to secondary. The message focuses on
dispelling the common misconceptions about drugs, refusal skills
and the side effects of drug abuse. In recent years, the Narcotics
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Division has further strengthened the contents of these talks by
integrating more information on the harmful effects of commonly
abused psychotropic substances.
In 1999, the programmes
organised and co-organised by the Division amounted to 1 017,
reaching out to over 85 000 students and parents.
The Education Department has integrated drug education topics into
various subjects through the formal school curricula such as the
teaching of General Studies at primary level. A cross-curricular
approach is adopted for secondary schools in which drug education
is implemented through the teaching of various subjects. A set of
display panels with anti-drug messages are produced for school
programmes and are available on loan for use by schools and
other organisations.
In view of the popularity of the internet among young people, the
Narcotics Division has updated its Homepage and introduced
interactive games to attract the attention of young people.
Promotional activities involving schools were also organised, such
as Essay and Drawing Competitions and an inter-school quiz for
primary schools. The Division’s work is also enhanced through
the expansion of the Anti-drug Volunteer Group and increased
recruitment of young volunteers. Drug education programmes are
also co-organised with youth organisations such as the Scout
Association of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Girl Guides Association
to disseminate the harmful effects of psychotropic substances
through the “train-the-trainer” approach.
In June this year, a drug information resources centre was opened.
Its facilities include a library, a multi-purpose room and also a
computerised on-line system to encourage young people to know
more about the harmful effects of drug abuse. Drug talks and other
activities are held to support workers in the anti-drug field. From
its opening in June until now, over 1 000 people including students
and adolescents have visited the centre. More than 150 people
have joined as volunteers and offered help in the centre’s operation
and organisation of anti-drug activities.
(c)
A drug seminar is conducted annually for frontline social workers to
update them on the latest trend in drug abuse and information on the
types of drug commonly abused. The Government Laboratory has
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enhanced its communication with social workers through regular
publications to brief them on the analytical information of newly
seized drugs. Furthermore, the Social Welfare Department (the
Department) organises training programmes for frontline social
workers regularly to equip them with relevant counselling skills and
updated information on their work. In 1999/2000, the Department
organised 11 training courses and seminars with a total attendance
of over 400. The Department also produced a video tape on “How
to Help Your Children to be Drug-free” with user guide to facilitate
social workers in rendering counselling effectively.
The
aforementioned drug information resource centre also provides
support for frontline social workers in implementing anti-drug
youth activities.
[LAU-kongwah\cl]
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