The study of current trend on drug abuse behaviour in Hong Kong

Abstract

This research aims to address three notable aspects of the current trend of Drug abuse behaviour in Hong Kong. Glancing at the latest figures from the Central Registry for Drug Abuse(CRDA)released on March 27, 2014, our group noticed the following: First, there was a decreasing trend on the reported drug abuse population, meaning that less people were taking drugs. Second, the median time for abusers to be discovered by the CRDA reporting agencies has been increasing, meaning that it is taking longer for law enforcement agencies to detect the drug abuser. Regarding the pattern of use, the figures revealed that the majority of drug abusers took drugs at home or at a friend’s home, makingit more difficult to be detected. Last but not least, in view of the increasingly hidden nature of drug abuse, the CRDA has proposed the introduction of the RESCUE Drug Testing(RDT)Scheme. Its purpose is not for prosecution, but to identify drug abusers as early as possible and refer them to counseling and treatment in a timely manner. In view of such, our group target pursued answers to the following research questions: 1. What factors caused drug abusers to quit their drug habit? 2. What factors caused the increased median time for drug abusers to be discovered? 3. Does the introduction of the RESCUE Drug Testing (RDT) Scheme result in a change in the hidden nature of drug use in Hong Kong?

This research highlights the reasons that drug abusers quit. It could be useful to circulate these successful cases to other persons who are still thinking about quitting. In addition, the research findings on the causes of the hidden nature of the problem and the former drug abusers’ views on the RDT Scheme could be helpful for other relevant organizations in formulating new policies.