Illicit Drug use in the Asia Pacific Region - Burnet Institute

Situational analysis of illicit drug issues and responses in the Asia–Pacific region
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2 .7 Macao
Population: 425,286
2 .7 .1 Overview of
recent drug trends
The dominant drug of choice is heroin . However,
many drug users consume cannabis,
methamphetamine, ketamine, cocaine and
various other pills, usually amphetaminetype
substances — mainly ecstasy, MDMA
and a variety of sedatives . Statistics indicate
that heroin use has been declining in
recent years .
2 .7 .2 Prevalence of drug use
In 2003, 634 drug users were registered with
the authorities, an increase of 18 per cent
compared to 2002 . No formal estimates
exist of overall numbers of drug users, but
a recent study suggested there were about
3700 heroin users, or 0 .87 per cent of the
population . There may be as many as 900
injecting drug users (IDUs), but this is likely
to be an under-estimate considering that
most heroin users are injectors .
2 .7 .5 Summary table
2 .7 .3 Drug supply
There is no evidence to indicate that Macao
is a drug-producing country . Main sources
of illegal drugs entering Macao are mainland
China, Hong Kong and other parts of Southeast
Asia . Most narcotics originate from the
Golden Triangle . Adolescent drug users are
crossing into mainland China, particularly
Guangdong Province, for drug trafficking
and consumption .
2 .7 .4 Drug-taking practices,
risk factors and trends
The favoured method of administering heroin
is injecting, followed by fume inhalation .
Ketamine and ecstasy are usually ingested
and most drink alcohol with these drugs .
The sharing of needles among IDUs is common
practice: most have difficulty accessing
injecting equipment at night when stores
and pharmacies are closed . In 2001, there
were 13 HIV cases among IDUs, 5 per cent
of the total . In 2004, there were 18 HIV
cases among IDUs, 60 per cent of the total .
This significant proportion among this group
of people has become a matter of concern
for public health authorities . Hepatitis C
prevalence among IDUs has been reported
at 69 per cent and hepatitis B infection at
13 per cent . Information about sexual risk
behaviours was not available .
Estimated number of current drug users Unknown, but an estimated 3700 heroin
users and 500–900 injecting drug users
Main drugs used Heroin, cannabis, ‘ice’, methamphetamine,
ketamine, cocaine and various other pills
usually of ATS quality, mainly ecstasy,
MDMA and sedatives
Drugs injected Heroin
Estimated prevalence of
HIV infection among IDUs
Unknown . In 2004, there were 18 HIV cases
among IDUs, comprising 60% of the total .
2 .7 .6 Country responses
Policy and legislation
Agreements and treaties 1961, 1971, 1988 UN Drug Conventions
National drug
control policy
Main drug control
legislation
Drug control policy
lead agency
Aimed at supply control and demand reduction . Includes
legislative means and implementing the law to stop crimes
associated with drugs; and to focus on prevention and
treatment of drug dependence .
Act 4/2001 governs 19 drugs and psychotropic substances .
Implemented by public entities, under the supervision
of the Under-Secretaries for Administration and Justice;
Security (related departments include Public Security Police,
Judicial Police, Marine Police and Macao Prison) and Social
Affairs and Culture (related departments include Health
Bureau and Social Welfare Institute) .
Law enforcement bodies Judicial and Security Police
Drug use addressed in last Yes
National HIV/AIDS Plan
Possession of
Yes
N&S unlawful
Harm reduction Harm reduction is not well accepted but recently limited
substitution therapy has been implemented for HIV-positive
drug users .
Needle and syringe No
programs (NSPs)
Peer-based approaches Exist but limited
Supply reduction The Narcotics Section of the Macao Judicial Police is
responsible for issues of drug trafficking, drug use and also
planning for the larger operations to prevent drug-related
activities . Its missions are supported by other security
agencies . The Judicial Police has its own anti-trafficking
section and over the past 40 years they have played an
important role in the suppression of drug trafficking
and consumption .
Crop eradication No
Demand reduction The Department for Prevention and Treatment of Drug
Dependence of the Social Welfare Institute is responsible
for the planning and execution of anti-drug prevention
and treatment work .
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Country summaries: Macao