CROSS-BORDER TRAFFICKING

Social workers were initially puzzled to notice a decline in activity in the
seedy places where drug trading takes place in the SAR. They soon discovered
why.
Addicts and social users were crossing to Shenzhen, where designer drugs are
easier to get, a little cheaper and a lot stronger. In addition, the
cross-border travellers believe drug busts are rarer and those who get caught
can pay their way out of trouble. According to drug workers, the idea that
mainland officials can be bribed to look the other way is largely a myth. For
the rest of the story, the facts speak for themselves.

Figures from the Narcotics Division show a drop of more than seven per
cent in the number of registered drug abusers last year. However,
social workers insist drug use is still rising. Users no longer need
to skulk in dark alleys where dealing goes on and where police keep a
look-out for traffickers. They buy it openly in discos and karaoke
bars in Shenzhen.

Whatever the reason, it is difficult to find any cases of Hong Kong
citizens arrested across the border for drug-taking offences. On this
side, the numbers caught by Customs officers carrying drugs on the
return journey quadrupled last year to 184. Affluent teenagers - some
as young as 14 - make the journey up to three times a week.

The working party set up to target the problem believes education is
the answer. But the quickest results would come if the Shenzhen
authorities started cracking down on offending places. The venues are
well known and attended by hundreds of teenagers. A couple of police
raids should be enough to drive most clients away, at least in the
short term. Then it might be possible to convince young ones that
Ecstasy is a dangerous substance, responsible for numerous deaths.

Young people having fun are rarely receptive to warnings. They will
take more notice of tougher drug laws and stronger enforcement in both
Hong Kong and Shenzhen.