According to Sally Wong, Commissioner for Narcotics in Hong Kong, the use of ketamine among area teenagers has risen 57 percent in the last four years. The drug is cheap and easily accessible, and its abuse has become so wide-spread that Hong Kong has begun conducting random school drug tests.

CNN has reported the following about this troubling trend in teen substance abuse:

Beginning in September, some two dozen schools will conduct tests. Officials say the drug screening will most likely be in the form of urine tests, though they are still working out the details. Ketamine can be detected in urine for at least three days.

Evidence also seems to support the notion that teen drug users are decreasing in age as they are increasing in number. At Zheng Sheng School, Hong Kongs only drug rehab center for youth, the number of clients under the age of 15 has skyrocketed from one to 40.

Labels: teen_drug_use, drug_abuse, ketamine

Posted By: Aspen/CRC