Editorial | Hong Kong cocaine surge calls for greater effort to tackle drug abuse
- Increased supply, lower prices and rise in social stress in city have been blamed for shift from cannabis to the substance
Drug abuse has become a growing concern and Hong Kong authorities would be wise to adjust their tactics after a government advisory body revealed worrying shifts in the types of illegal substances consumed in the city. Cocaine replaced cannabis last year among young abusers, according to the Action Committee Against Narcotics.
A report issued by the group last month said most of the 3,406 drug arrests in 2023 were for offences related to cocaine.
While the number of reported drug abusers under the age of 21 fell from 744 in 2022 to 659 last year, more than half abused cocaine, followed by cannabis and ketamine, known locally as K or K-jai. Some experts have warned that the true scale of the drug abuse problem among youngsters may not be reflected in official numbers.
The shift toward cocaine has been blamed on an increased supply, lower prices and a rise in social stress when Hong Kong returned to normality last year following the Covid-19 pandemic. Some drug abusers have struggled to resume their daily routines or to cope once again with interpersonal relationships, according to health experts.
Dr Donald Li Kwok-tung, chairman of the action committee, also expressed concern at online drug traps, including groups that use instant messaging and dating apps to encourage abuse.
