DATA SUPPORTS PROPOSAL FOR DRUG TESTING AT SCHOOLS

Voluntary drug testing at schools might be introduced after it was
revealed that 60 per cent of young abusers have their first illegal
drug experience before 16.

The government said it would consider introducing tests after Central
Registry of Drug Abuse figures released yesterday showed that 1,226
regular drug abusers under 21 were reported in the first quarter this
year, a 15.2 per cent surge from the 1,064 last year.

Of 876 registered abusers who revealed their age when they first took
drugs, 556 said they were younger than 16. Nine per cent said they
first took drugs when they were 11 or 12.

Action Committee Against Narcotics chairman Philemon Choi Yuen-wan
said it was alarming that youths were using drugs at younger and
younger ages, and stressed the importance of early
intervention.

"When police raid discos or nightclubs, they always find pills
abandoned on the floor," he said yesterday, the International Day
Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

"Police don't know who was taking drugs or who they belonged
to."

Dr Choi said young drug abusers came to official attention when they
attended drug counselling centres usually two years after their first
drug experience, while their parents usually learned about their
children's behaviour another year on.

The committee planned to propose to the inter-departmental taskforce
on young drug abuse - led by Secretary for Justice Wong Yan-lung -
that drug testing be done at schools on a voluntary basis, meaning
with parents' consent. Tests may include urine tests.

"The testing could send a message to young drug abusers that they will
be identified. It would serve as a strong deterrent," said Dr Choi,
adding that a government initiative might come as early as October.

The committee had also discussed the possibility of police conducting
spot tests on drug suspects at certain "high-risk" venues such as
nightclubs. But Dr Choi said such a move would require legislation and
it could only occur in the long term. Tests on drug suspects were
already done in Singapore and Britain.

"The test is speedy but costly," he said. "It is also not accepted as
evidence in courts, given doubts about its accuracy.

"We have to take into account cost, privacy and deterrent effects. We
find psychotropic drugs are popular among young adults aged above 21,
so testing should not be confined to the under-aged."

The committee would also propose that the police superintendent's
discretion scheme be strengthened to direct more young drug offenders
into rehabilitation centres.

"After all, we hope that youngsters will free themselves of drugs and
not end up with criminal records," he said.