Press Release
13th November, 2020

The Narcotics Control Committee (“the Committee”) held the second general meeting of 2020 on 13th November 2020 in  the Confucius Conference Hall at Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ). Mr. Hon Wai, the Acting Chairman of the Committee and Director of Social Welfare Bureau hosted the meeting. The main agenda of this meeting included: reporting on the Committee's working plan; reporting on the current situation of drug-related crimes in Macao and the data on " Central Registration System for Drug Abuse of Macao" from the first half of 2020; reporting on the work of "Youth Drug Problem Concern Working Group" and “Anti-Drug Law Enforcement and Follow-up Working Group”; reporting on the work regarding the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drug and Macao's follow-up work to the international listing of regulated substances, as well as details on the internal operating rules of the Narcotics Control Committee.

The Narcotics Control Committee was re-elected on 18th September this year. Mr. Hon Wai, Acting Chairman of the Committee and Director of Social Welfare Bureau welcomed the new Committee members to join the team. He also hoped that cross-disciplinary cooperation would help to prevent drug abuse and combat drug crimes. The meeting reported and summarized annual working status of 2020, including convening two plenary meetings and two group meetings; organizing two groups of members to visit the Directorate of Judiciary Police and the “BE COOL PROJECT” of Macao Drug Addiction Rehabilitation Association (ARTM); from June to September, Committee members were invited to participate in the online activities of International Day against Drug Abuse so as to bring together the efforts of the Government and non-governmental professional organizations to strengthen local exchanges and cooperation in the anti-epidemic era, continuing to coordinate and deepen efforts against drug abuse.

According to the data of " Central Registration System for Drug Abuse of Macao ", in the first half of 2020, the total number of reported drug abusers is 117, a decrease of 37.1% compared to the same period of 2019. There are 11 teenagers among the reported drug abusers, accounting for 9.4%, a similar rate compared to the same period last year. According to the general data, methamphetamine (commonly known as “ICE”) is the most frequently-used drug among abusers, accounting for 34.8%, followed by cocaine (20.9%) and cannabis (11.3%); the average monthly drug expenditure is MOP 3,820, which is an increase of 11.4% compared to the previous year; the venue of drug use continued to be hidden. Over 70% of abusers use drugs at own homes, at friends’ homes and hotels. In order to expand the reported data, one more institution is added in the second half of 2020 so that there are in total 21 reporting institutions. In the future, the Committee will strengthen communication and cooperation with the reporting institutions and continue to invite suitable institutions to join the reporting work.

The two working groups under the Committee held group meetings in October respectively. The "Youth Drug Problem Concern Working Group" has followed up on the recent anti-drug work and the resumption of anti-drug services. As the epidemic has entered into the normalized stage, the Group will continue working on a diversified promotion plan for anti-drug work, including using online media to expand anti-drug services, setting up an exchange platform for anti-drug activities, further developing the anti-drug information network, encouraging civil organizations to participate in anti-drug promotion work; the “Anti-Drug Law Enforcement and Follow-up Working Group” has followed up on the implementation of referral cases under judicial measures and relevant working measures of Macao Anti-Drug Law. In response to cross-boundary drug trafficking, the Group must continue to strengthen the publicity of relevant law among young people, strengthen exchanges and cooperation with relevant departments and institutions in neighboring regions, and provide special support services for drug-related youths. The Committee members agreed that the anti-drug education and publicity efforts had been effective and exchanged views on the causes of drug abuse among youths, on family support and social assistance, etc.

 Moreover, the meeting reported on the relevant work of the United Nations and Macao's follow-up work to the international listing of regulated substances. As the World Health Organization (WHO) provided six recommendations to reschedule cannabis and cannabis-related substances, during June to October, Macao SAR Government has attended three sessions of online Topical meetings organized by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) among experts from the UNODC Member States. China holds a cautious attitude towards the WHO recommendations on changing the restriction of cannabis and cannabis-related substances. Macao is in line with the Mainland China in this issue and has submitted relevant report to the Mainland China in 2019. In addition, in order to meet its international obligations and in response to United Nations’ recommendation to amend the substance list in Anti-Drug Law annually, the SAR Government has now completed legislative regulation of 12 additional internationally regulated substances according to the 62ndUnited Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes(UNODC). The SAR Government will continue with the legislative regulation of additional internationally regulated substances from the 63rd UNODC. It aims to put the regulated substance list of Macao in line with the international community and the neighboring regions, improving the effectiveness of simultaneous prevention and combating of drug-related crimes.

At the end of the meeting, the Committee summarized this year's specific work and discussed the working plan of next year. It will continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with relevant departments and institutions in the neighboring regions, as well as actively promote relevant publicity and education work through the two Working Groups.

The attendants in the meeting also included Leong Veng Hang, Consultant of the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Lai Tong Sang, Assessor of Office of the Secretary for Security, Leong Vai Kei, Deputy Director of Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, Lei Iok Fai, Department Head of Macao Customs Service, Ng Meng Tai, Department Head of the Prosecutor General, Vong Chi Hong, Department Head of Judiciary Police, Chan Chi Ieong, Department Head of Legal Affairs Bureau, Lam Kam Sal, Head of Coloane Prison of Correctional Services Bureau, Chou Chih Chiang, Consultant Doctor of Health Bureau, Che Chi Sang, Inspector of Unitary Police Service, Augusto Nogueira, Chariman of Association of Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers of Macau, Lao Chin Soi, Executive Director of Christian New Life Fellowship in 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, Sam Io Cheong, Deputy Executive Director of the Chinese Educators Association of Macau, Lam Ion Meng, Vice-chairman of The Macao Association of Medical Volunteers, Cheang Tak Hong, Supervisor of the Women’s General Association of Macau, Wu Wai Han, Supervisor of H.K.S.K.H. Macau Social Services Coordination Office, Ms. Ao Chi Ieong, Mr. Spencer De Li, Mr. Chiu Sung Kin, Mr. Cheong Kin Seng, Hoi Va Pou, Deputy Director of Social Welfare Bureau, Tang Kit Fong, Department Head of Social Welfare Bureau, Cheang Io Tat, Department Head of Social Welfare Bureau and other chiefs.

Director Hon Wai hosted the meeting

The Narcotics Control Committee second General Meeting in 2020