DRUGS ABUSE !

NEWS ON DRUGS ABUSE

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History of Drugs AbuseA Long History in the World:

A Long History in China

• Opium taking activities recorded since Ming Dynasty

• Emperor of Ming Dynasty attempted to prohibit drug taking activities

• Opium War breaking out during late 1830s and 1840s

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Opium Trade and Drug Policies in Hong Kong

Permitted sale of opium under government monopoly with opium smoking remaining free and legal until 1945

the issue of White Paper – “ The Problem of Narcotic Drugs in Hong Kong” in 1959, followed by the setting up of the Narcotics Advisory Committee the same year

The Reconstitution of Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) in 1973 for becoming the sole source of advice to the Government on all aspects of its anti-narcotics problem

The Creation of the Post of Commissioner for Narcotics in 1973

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Population of Drug AbusersIn the WorldAccording to the World Drug Report 2004 by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), it is estimated that in 2001-03, there were about 185 million people abusing drugs, accounting for about 4.7% of the global population aged 15 to 64.

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In Hong Kong It was generally estimated that there were about 50,000 to 100,000 drug abusers in Hong Kong.

With the establishment of Central Registry of Drug Abuse (CRDA) in Hong Kong in 1972, recorded number of drug abusers in Hong Kong was found to be 50,000 up to early 1990s

With the change of reporting system by Government in mid 90s that only yearly reported figures of drug abusers were issued, it was found that the figures remain in the range of 13,000 to 20,000 per year

In 2003, there were 15,605 drug abusers made known to CRDA, with 4,303 being newly reported persons

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Definition of Drug (Substance) Abuse

Dependence on certain kind(s) of drugs or substances with the following characteristics:

•Excessive use resulting in over-dose

•Harmful to health

•Not accepted by the norms and values of the society

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Kinds of Substances Liable to Abuse in Hong KongNarcotic DrugsOpium, Heroin, Morphine, Physeptone, Methadone HallucinogensCannabis, LSD DepressantsBarbiturates, Mandrax StimulantsAmphetamine type of stimulants, e.g. Methylamphetamine (Ice), cocaine, MDMA (Ecstasy)TranquilizersDiazepam, midazolam, triazolam, Zoplicone OthersKetamine, Cough Medicine, Codeine, Organic Solvents, Alcohol, Tobacco 

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Methods of Taking Drugs

Heroin•By cigarettes ends•By “chasing dragon”•By injection Psychotropic Substances•By oral taking•By sniffing (snorting)•By injection

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Reasons for Initiation to Substances Abuse

•Peer influence / To identify with peers

•Curiosity

•Seeking euphoria or sensory satisfaction

•Relief of boredom, depression and anxiety

•Unemployment

•Medical reasons

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Symptoms / Effects of Substance Abuse

•Strange behaviours - repetitive peculiar acts

•Trying to be alone, keeping away from family members and their activities such as shutting himself in the room or spending lengthy time in toilet, etc.

•Disorder in daily activities, e.g. sleep disorder

•Depressed appearance, e.g. looking pale and tired, loss of appetite, unable to concentrate his mind in work, loss of memory

•Other unusual performance such as impaired judgment, slurred speech, insomnia, in-coordination of fingers and limbs, etc.

•Possession of unusual and unnecessary articles, such as empty soft-drink box or bottle, lighter, tin-foil paper, small medicine bags, etc.

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Harmfulness of Substance AbusePersonal Aspects

Weak and deteriorated health

Organs damage like liver and kidney damage, respiratory and heart problems, toxic neurologic damage, etc.

Low motivation and lack of achievement desire

Loss of interests in work or study

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Family Aspects  

•Bad and unharmonious family relationships

•Financial hardships to family

•Deprivation of opportunities of young generation in education, career and other social activities

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Society Aspects  

The society will suffer from having to spend more in the following public sectors such as Medical, Educational, Social Welfare, Labour, Law and Order, etc. with less productivity in industrial and commercial sectors

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Recent Trend and Drug Scene in Hong Kong

More young people involving in psychotropic substance abuse

According to CRDA, the figure of 1,053 persons involving in psychotropic substance abuse in 1991 rose to 6,022 persons in 2001, representing 470 % increase.

More females involving in substance abuse

According to CRDA, the figure of 693 female cases involving in substance abuse in 1980, rose to 3,182 cases in 2002, representing 360 % increase.

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More young people involving in multiple drug abuse

During the period 1995 and 2001, the trend for abusing more than one type of drugs was rising, from 1,185 in 1995 to 3,247 in 2001.

The proportion of multiple drug abusers has been increasing since 1995, from 6.6 % in 1995 to 20.9 % in 2003.

19.4 % of the individuals reported to CRDA in 2002 were found abusing more than one type of drug, with 40.2 % of the newly reported persons aged under 21 abusing multiple drugs in the same year.

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Existing Substance Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Services in Hong KongCompulsory and statutory treatment

Drug Addiction Treatment Centres operated by CSD

Voluntary treatment

•In-patient (residential) treatment•Social work approach, e.g. Shek Kwu Chau Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre operated by SARDA, etc.•Religious Approach•Substance Abuse Clinic

•Out-patient treatment•Casework and counselling Service at Counselling Centre•Substance Abuse Clinic•Methadone Treatment Programme

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Effective Ways of Tackling Substance Abuse

No single way of solving the problems, instead combination of efforts and approaches should be adopted:

•Legislation and Law Enforcement  

•Punishment through punitive system

•Treatment and Rehabilitation 

•Preventive education and publicity 

•International Cooperation

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Issues for Contemplation and Discussion

Could a drug-free community or society be realized?

If yes, how?If no, why?

Is heavy punishment an effective deterrent to substance abuse?

If yes, how?If no, why?