Hong Kong: Adolescent Drug Use On The Rise

From the Hong Kong Information Services Department:

A survey recently made public by the Narcotics Division shows an increase in teenage drug use. During the 2008-2009 school year, students at 100 schools completed the survey which focused on drug abuse. Based on 158,000 surveys or 20% of the student body, researchers noted the following trends:

• Among secondary students aged 12 or below, 4.6% said they had abused drugs. Four years ago only 2.4% claimed the same.
• 30.7% of primary school students had used inhalants.
• 36.2% of secondary school students who used drugs claimed to have used at friend's home while 25% had used in their own home.

In response, the government has allocated $3 billion for the Beat Drugs Fund. The Fund is an arm of the Narcotics Division that oversees efforts to stem drug abuse and raise awareness. The nearly tenfold increase in funding, indicates the governments increased commitment to fight a growing drug culture since the Fund started in 1996. Other tangible measures include community mobilization programs, establishing more counseling centers, and hiring more social workers.