drugs

Macau | About 33.7 per cent of drug addicts seeking treatment over prison managed to kick the habit – Gov’t

Macau (MNA) – The Narcotics Control Committee announced this Friday that 33.7 per cent of the 905 people who requested suspension of drug consumption penalties for the purpose of seeking treatment since 2009 actually stopped consuming drugs.

Under Macau law, if the accused has been convicted of drug consumption and is considered a drug addict after a medical examination, the court can suspend a prison sentence if the accused voluntarily submits to treatment or hospitalisation in an appropriate rehab establishment.

Meanwhile, the number of drug addicts registered at the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) Central Registration System for Drug Abusers of Macao database at the end of the first half of this year had decreased by 13.5 per cent yearly to 269, with more than 60 per cent being residents, the committee revealed today.

On average, the registered addicts were said to spend MOP4,861 on their addiction per month, a considerable decrease from the MOP10,218 monthly average of the same period last year.

The methamphetamine known as ‘Ice’ continued to be the most consumed drug by registered drug addicts, representing 46.7 per cent of registered drug use.

The committee also indicated that it is considering starting campaigns to reduce alcohol consumption in students and young residents, with a study being conducted with primary, secondary and university students on the issue, with results to be provided next year.

However, when questioned if the committee intended to request that a minimum age for drinking be imposed the the Department Head of the IAS Gambling and Drug Addiction Prevention department, Lei Lai Peng, indicated that, for now, no specific proposal was being considered.

According to Ms. Lei, the last study conducted on the topic took place with 9,737 primary, middle school and university students covered by the survey, and with about 56 per cent having said to “have had contact with alcohol”.

The committee also stated it had followed the recent decision by Canadian authorities to legalise both recreational and medicinal use of cannabis, but with the head of the Judiciary Police (PJ) Narcotics Division, Iu Kong Fai, stating that there are no signs that cannabis is being brought from Canada and sold in Macau SAR.