Press Release
15th May, 2020

The Narcotics Control Committee held the first general meeting of 2020 on 15th May 2020 in Macao Cultural Centre. Ms. Ao Ieong U, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture and Chairman of the Narcotics Control Committee hosted the meeting. The main agenda included: reporting on the Committee’s annual work in 2019, reporting on working plan in 2020, drug-related crime situation in Macao, and the data on "Central Registration System for Drug Abusers of Macao " for 2019; reporting on the work of "Youth Drug Problem Concern Working Group" and “Anti-Drug Law Enforcement and Follow-up Working Group”; reporting on the important resolutions from the meeting “63rd United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs", as well as various co-ordination work.

Ms. Ao Ieong U, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture extended her thankfulness to all the members of the Narcotics Control Committee (hereafter abbreviated tothe Committee) for their support and participation in the anti-drug affairs in Macao, especially for the efforts of all relevant departments in fighting against drug-related crimes. She hoped to strengthen the anti-drug work in the community and strengthen the anti-drug awareness of Macao residents and young people through the coordinated cooperation of legislation, law enforcement, education and social service systems. During the meeting, the Committee members listened to the annual working status in 2019, including convening two plenary meetings and four working group meetings; organizing the Committee members to visit the National Narcotics Control Commission in Beijing, meanwhile participating in the 28th Conference of International Federation of Non-Government Organisations for the Prevention of Drug and Substance Abuse (IFNGO conference) and the 18th Academic Meeting of China Association of Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment; during June to August last year, the Committee members were organized to participate in various activities related to International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, as well as attended the "2019 National Seminars on Drug Abuse Prevention " which was held in Macao in October. These efforts aimed to unite the power of the government and private professional organizations to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with neighboring regions and jointly respond to and optimize the prevention and control of drug abuse.

According to the " Central Registration System for Drug Abusers of Macao", the data shows that the total number of reported drug abusers in 2019 is 346, a decrease of 18.4% compared to 2018. There are 31 users under 21 years of age, an increase of 29.2% compared to the last year. According to comprehensive analysis of the report content and anti-drug data, the above-mentioned increase is mainly due to the drug involvement of Hong Kong youths in Macao in recent years. Methylamphetamine (commonly known as “ice”) is still the most frequently-used drug among abusers, accounting for 36.7% counted in person-time, a drop of 11.5% compared to last year; the venue of drug use continued to be hidden. Over 70% of abusers use drugs at own homes, at friends’ homes and hotels. The average monthly drug expenditure is MOP 3,640, which is similar to the previous year. In order to expand the reported data, more eligible institutions will be invited to be reporting units.

"Youth Drug Problem Concern Working Group" continued to promote preventive education for the youths, and collaborate with private institutions to promote “healthy college campus” among college students. Through online games, young people are encouraged to promote health-related information in a creative way. In order to cope with hidden drug abuse among the youths, community resources shall continue to expand and private institutions shall be encouraged to promote anti-drug work through games and multimedia. The Working Group also enhanced the promotion of rehabilitation service to frontline medical units, youth service units, family and community service units, facilitated cross-professional cooperation and referral work so as to build a network of rehabilitation services. In addition, the “Anti-Drug Law Enforcement and Follow-up Working Group” continued to follow up on the coordination of various departments on enforcing the Anti-Drug Law, on the implementation of probation and detoxification measures, on the fight against cross-border drug trafficking and on promotion of Anti-Drug Law, etc. The Group is also working closely with private institutions to conduct special support program for drug-related youths and online game to promote the Anti-Drug Law.

The meeting introduced the important resolutions of the “63rd Conference of United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs" and reported on 12 substances and 1 precursor that had been approved for international listing. The Committee will continue on the close coordination work with other relevant departments, bringing together non-governmental forces to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with relevant departments and institutions in neighboring regions, and actively promoting and improving the anti-drug work in Macao.

In order to coordinate with the epidemic prevention of Macao SAR Government, the Social Welfare Bureau (SWB) and private organizations provided limited operations for essential services during the anti-epidemic period to ensure that basic rehabilitation services were not affected. Meanwhile, anti-drug messages were promoted by means of multimedia. In February, anti-epidemic instruction was promoted in the comic “Stay home and fight against epidemic together, Harold is joining our hands”, which was posted online and social media platforms. Through the online communication platform, telephone counselling and other services, the situation of youths and drug users were followed up. Relevant counselling and support services were provided in a timely manner.

The attendants in the meeting also included Hon Wai, Vice-chairman of the Narcotics Control Committee and Acting Director of Social Welfare Bureau, Leong Veng Hang, Consultant of the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, João Augusto da Rosa, Assistant of Director of Unitary Police Service, Cheng Kin Chong, Assessor of Macao Customs Service, Adriano Marques Ho, Assessor of Office of the Secretary for Security, Cheng Fong Meng, Director of Correctional Services Bureau, Ho Sio Mei, Division Head of Correctional Services Bureau, Leong Pou Ieng, Deputy Director of Legal Affairs Bureau, Leong Vai Kei, Deputy Director of Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, Wong Kin On, Acting Supervisor of Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, Ng Meng Tai, Department Head of the Prosecutor General, Vong Chi Hong, Department Head of Judiciary Police, Iu Kong Fai, Division Head in Judiciary Police, Hou Chi Weng, Chief of Health Bureau, Lao Chin Soi, Executive Director of Christian New Life Fellowship in Macau, Augusto Nogueira, Chariman of Association of Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers of Macau, Sam Wai I, Deputy Executive Director of Young Men’s Christian Association of Macau, Yp Weng Keong, Chief Executive of Rede de Serviços Juvenis Bosco, Ip Kam Po, Service Co-ordinator of H.K.S.K.H. Macau Social Services Coordination Office, Sam Io Cheong, Deputy Executive Director of the Chinese Educators Association of Macau, Chao Kam Kin, Supervisor of the Women’s General Association of Macau, Ms. Ao Chi Ieong, Ms. Leong, Si Pui Cecilia, Mr. Koi Wai Kong, Hoi Va Pou, Deputy Director of Social Welfare Bureau, Tang Kit Fong, Department Head of Social Welfare Bureau, Cheang Io Tat, Acting Department Head of Social Welfare Bureau, Lee Kuai Heng & Tang Sut I, Division Heads of Social Welfare Bureau and other chiefs.

Ms. Ao Ieong U, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture hosted the Meeting

The Narcotics Control Committee First General Meeting in 2020