Press Release
18th November, 2019

The Narcotics Control Committee convened the second plenary session of 2019 on 14th November, 2019 in Confucius Conference Hall at Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ). Vong Yim Mui, Acting Chairman of the Committee and Director of Social Welfare Bureau hosted the meeting.

The main agenda included: reporting on the Committee’s recent work and working plan next year, the data on “Central Registration System of Drug Abusers in Macao” for the first half of the year 2019, the result of two studies on the Youths Drug Abuse Investigation Report in 2018, the works of the "Youth Drug Problem Concern Working Group" and the “Anti-Drug Law Enforcement and Follow-up Working Group”.

In the meeting, President Vong Yim Mui summarized the Committee’s work in 2019, including organizing the committee members to visit the National Narcotics Control Commission in Beijing in May, and participating in the 28th International Federation of Non-Governmental Organizations 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, the Committee members were organized to participate in various activities related to International Day against Drug Abuse, including "Letting go of alcohol addiction" Professional Exchange Activities, "Play it smart" Community Education Promotion Programme and “Drug Abuse Carnival Throughout the City”; in October, the Committee member were invited to attend "2019 National Drug Abuse Prevention Symposium". Some members endorsed the Government’s implementation strategy to promote social service institutions, cross-sectoral and cross-disciplinary organizations and community forces to jointly tackle the drug problem, and believed that it would help optimize and enhance the effectiveness of drug abuse prevention and treatment in Macao.

According to the " Central Registration System of Drug Abusers in Macao ", the data shows that the total number of reported drug abusers in the first half of 2019 is 186, with a decrease on a year-on-year basis. There are 15 drug abusers under the age of 21, also showing a year-on-year decline and taking up 8.1% of the total number. The most common drug among abusers is still “ice” (methamphetamine), accounting for 41.4%; Cocaine use among youths rises significantly to 46.7%; the venue of drug use is relative hidden. Over 70% of abusers use drugs at their homes, at their friends’ homes and in hotels. The average monthly drug expenditure showed a year-on-year decline to MOP 3,429, which is a decrease on a year-on-year basis. The median expenditure remained at MOP2,000. In order to expand the data of reporting, more suitable institutions will be invited to join as reporting units.

In addition, "Youth Drug Problem Concern Working Group" reported their meeting in September. In order to cooperate with the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Group will continue to deepen cooperation with Greater Bay Area cities, build and use multimedia networks within the Area, and jointly carry out preventive education and publicity strategies for the youths in the Greater Bay Area. According to the result of two studies released this year in August, namely “Investigation Report on Student Drug Use in Macao” and “Macao Street Youths Drug Abuse Investigation Report”, the Group discussed relevant content and gave suggestions. In response to the “hidden” situation of drug abuse, some members suggested to continue to take support from the parents, enhancing parental awareness and their anti-drug knowledge, and continue to carry out applicable preventive education to people of different ages. Moreover, “Anti-Drug Law Enforcement and Follow-up Working Group” also reported their group meeting in September. In the meeting, the Group introduced Macao's laws against money laundering and counter-terrorism financing, inter-departmental working groups and related assessment and follow-up work. At the same time, it reported on the implementation of probation and drug treatment measures, including optimizing the support of probation and drug treatment facilities, reporting that the auxiliary services had an average attendance rate of 87% in the first half of the year. Community-based treatment plan has completed the probation follow-up to 80%. The Group members all agreed to continue community treatment and to optimize follow-up measures, and so on.

President Vong Yim Mui thanked the whole Committee members’ support and active participation of anti-drug affairs in Macao. She also hoped to use cross-professional cooperation to build a drug-free community and enhance residents' resistance to drugs from different levels, such as youth prevention education, community drug rehabilitation services and combating drug crimes, etc. She encouraged the industry to cooperate with the development of the Greater Bay Area, to share Macao's anti-drug experience and achievements with the cities of the region, to jointly explore different cooperation options, to promote cross-disciplinary and cross-professional development, to jointly build an interconnected information platform. It aims to strengthen law popularization and education and enhance the anti-drug awareness of the people in the Greater Bay Area, enhancing their ability to monitor new drugs.

The attendants in the meeting also included Adriano Marques Ho, Assessor of Office of the Secretary for Security, Sit Chong Meng, Director of Judiciary Police, Iu Kong Fai, Division Head in Judiciary Police, Cheng Kin Chong, Assessor of Macao Customs Service, Leong Vai Kei, Deputy Director of Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, Wong Kin On, Chief of Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, Ng Meng Tai, Department Head of the Prosecutor General, Tai Peng, Department Head of Legal Affairs Bureau, Hou Chi Weng, Chief of Health Bureau, Ho Sio Mei, Division Head of Correctional Services Bureau, Chan Wai Kun, Chief Criminal Investigator of Unitary Police Service, Augusto Nogueira, Chariman of Association of Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers of Macau, Wong Kim Hong, President of Macao Association of Medicals Volunteers, Lao Chin Soi, Executive Director of Christian New Life Fellowship in Macau, Sam Io Cheong, Deputy Executive Director of the Chinese Educators Association of Macau, Yp Weng Keong, Chief Executive of Rede de Serviços Juvenis Bosco, O Lai San, Ip Kam Po, Service Co-ordinator of H.K.S.K.H. Macau Social Services Coordination Office, Sam Wai I, Deputy Executive Director of Young Men’s Christian Association of Macau, Chao Kam Kin, Supervisor of the Women’s General Association of Macau, Mr. Koi Wai Kong, Ms. Lo Choi In, Ms. Ao Chi Ieong, Ms. Leong, Si Pui Cecilia and Hoi Va Pou, Deputy Director of Social Welfare Bureau, Lei Lai Peng & Tang Kit Fong, Department Heads in Social Welfare Bureau, Cheang Io Tat, Division Heads in Social Welfare Bureau and other chiefs.

Director Vong Yim Mui hosted the meeting.

The Narcotics Control Committee Convened the Second Plenary Session of 2019