A study that was done in 2008 and 2009 shows that drug abuse is worsening in Hong Kong and young people are abusing drugs at a much younger age. Psychotropic drugs of abuse are rising and 37.5 percent of the 158,000 young people surveyed in primary schools said they abused cough medicine and 30.7 percent said they abused inhalants. Of the secondary school students, 49.4 percent said they abused ketamine and 35.6 percent of the students admitted to abusing cannabis (marijuana). In 2009 a year-long “Tsuen Wan District Three-pronged Anti Youth Drug Abuse Campaign” to help educate young people was instituted. This program is designed to help young people resist drugs through a variety of activities and services.

Common Drugs Of Abuse In Hong Kong Are Described Below

1. Cocaine hydrochloride powder and crack cocaine wrapped in a banknote when packaged.
2. Ketamine Hydrochloride in Hong Kong appears in powder form and is commonly packaged by wrapping this drug in a small piece of paper or a banknote.
3. Cannabis or Marijuana grows wild throughout most of the tropical temperate zones. This is wrapped in plastic cling form or zip-lock bags. Herbal and resinous cannabis is usually trafficked in. Cannabis oil is rarely available.
4. Heroin is normally consumed in Hong Kong by injection or burning on tinfoil and inhaling the fumes.
5. Ecstasy is also trafficked in and used at entertainment venues.
6. Cough Medicine
7. GHB is normally found as a clear and colorless liquid but sometimes is in powder form in Hong Kong.
8. Medications to treat anxiety and induce sleep are also abused in Hong Kong.

At one time, heroin abuse was the most sought after and abused drug in Hong Kong. By 2008, the number of individuals that abused heroin began to decline. Abused drugs that were increasing in Hong Kong were psychotropic substances. Psychotropic drugs are also referred to as psychopharmaceutical or psychotropic. These are a chemical type substance that navigates through the brain and for the most part and attacks the central nervous system. Functions of the brain are then altered or changed; an individual's perception, mood and behavior are greatly affected creating enhanced mental alertness and euphoria. Ketamine is the most sought after and frequently abused psychotropic substance abused in Hong Kong. Other drugs widely abused in Tsuen Wan and throughout Hong Kong include the following:

1. Triazolam, is used to treat short term insomnia, and is in a class of drugs called benzodiazepines.
2. Midazolam is also in the benzodiazepine class of drugs, and is normally used to treat acute seizures or relieve anxiety. This drug many times is given to children before medical procedures to calm them down.
3. Zopiclone is also used in treatment for insomnia but abused for its effects.
4. Methamphetamines are central nervous system stimulants that are commonly abused all over the world, these are abused by dissolving in water or alcohol and orally ingested, snorted, injecting with needles or smoked.
5. Ecstasy (MDMA) is a man-made synthetic drug that is abused for the combination of hallucinogenic and stimulant effects.
6. Cannabis also referred to as marijuana is one of the most widely abused illicit drugs around the world and creates mind altering psychoactive effects.
7. Cocaine is an extremely powerful stimulant drug that is also highly addictive. Individuals abuse cocaine by snorting, injecting, or smoked when processed into rock crystal (crack cocaine).
8. Codeine based cough medicine is abused by many individuals on a daily basis throughout Hong Kong.

The Government of Hong Kong continues in the fight against drug trafficking and drug abuse. They cooperate fully and work close with United States counterparts in fighting drug abuse, drug trafficking and drug prevention awareness.

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