The number of registered drug users in Macau increased by 24.4 percent year on year to 148 last year, the government announced yesterday, pointing out that the number of registered drug users under the age of 21 stood at 7, or 4.7 percent, the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) said it in a statement yesterday.
The figures were released during this year’s first plenary meeting of the government-appointed Narcotics Control Committee (CLD) on Wednesday. The meeting chaired by IAS President Wilson Hon Wai was held at Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion.
According to the statement, based on data from the Macau Drug Users Central Registry System, the main drugs used last year were ice, accounting for 26.3 percent of the total and cannabis (11.1 percent). Some 80 percent of drug taking took place at the users’ homes, at their friends’ homes, or in hotel guestrooms.
The 68th Session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) was held from March 10 to 14, at the UN Headquarters in Vienna, the statement noted, pointing out that local officials participated in the plenary meetings as members of the national delegation, delivering speeches and voting on the scheduling of new substances under international drug control conventions.
The statement also pointed out that civil society representatives from Macau took part in multiple non-governmental organisation (NGO) side events during the session, where they contributed to discussions. The national delegation also facilitated local youth representatives’ participation in the session, enabling them to engage in its activities and share the achievements of Macau’s drug abuse prevention and treatment efforts with foreign delegates.
During the session, the CND reviewed and approved six new substances for international control. In response, Macau’s Anti-Drug Committee has already been in touch with other local government entities to initiate local legislative procedures for their regulation in Macau.
Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) Director Han Wai (centre), IAS Deputy Director Hoi Va Pou (left), Prevention and Treatment of Problem Gambling and Drug Dependence Department Chief Cheang Io Tat attend the first plenary meeting of the Narcotics Control Committee of the year on Wednesday at Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion. – Photo: IAS
