Dispensable law
on dispensaries?
Law curbing drug abuse arouses controversy
By Teresa Fung
Substance abuse is increasing among youngsters. A survey conducted by the Society of Aid and Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers in 1994 showed that the number of drug abusers has risen from 18,000 in 1993 to 20,000 in 1994.
Besides, the average age of drug abusers has been decreasing.
According to figures provided by the Central Registry of Drug Abuses, most of the young abusers are addicted to cough syrup.
The Hong Kong Christian PS33 is a treatment centre for psychotropic substance abuse. Mr. Szeto Ming Wong of the centre said, “The mean age of the abusers we deal with is 15. One became an addict at 11.”
Direction is another treatment centre for psychotropic drug abuses. Miss Cherry Lee, a social worker for a pilot project of Direction, said the trend is attributed to the low prices and ready availability of drugs from private clinics, dispensaries and peers.
To halt rise of substance drug abuse, the government has amended the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance.
The amendments, which went into effect in January 1996, imposes stricter control over the retail sales of, for example, psychotropic substances like cough syrup containing codeine.
When purchasing these kinds of drugs from dispensaries, people have to show a signed prescription from doctors. They also have to record their names, identity card numbers, addresses, date and quantity of drugs purchased.
Pharmacies breaking the law are subjected to a maximum penalty of $30,000 and a one-year imprisonment.
Mr. Thomas Tam, acting chief pharmacist of the Health Department, said that “the new law is an effective measure in combating drug abuse”.
According to Mr. Tam, the Inspection and Licensing Section of the Health Department dispatches about 15 pharmacists to inspect records thrice a year. Some dispensaries are inspected more frequently.
However, the new law is arousing criticism from the dispensers.
Mr. Fung, who requested that his full name be withheld, is an employee of Cheung Ching Dispensary in Sha Tin. He complained that the new regulation has greatly affected the business.
Said he: “Our sales have dropped by 40 percent. Suspecting our motives, buyers are reluctant to disclose their personal data.”
Mr. Leung, who also requested his full name be withheld, is the owner of another dispensary. He said, “The measure is by no means useful. To conceal their identities, drug abusers can buy small dosages from different dispensaries each time, instead of purchasing a large quantity once.” Buying large quantity will easily arouse attention of the Inspection and Licensing Section.
The deputy secretary of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, Mr. Tony Tsang, admitted that as there is no means to check the reliability of the data provided by the dispensers, analysing drug abusers’ personal data is difficult.
“Therefore, abusers cannot be easily differentiated from the buyers. Seldom would the information be referred to unless serious drug abuse cases are discovered,” said Mr. Tsang.
Moreover, the restriction is criticized for causing inconvenience.
“Some medicines, like those curing heart diseases, would never be abused by people. However, patients buying them have also to be monitored now,” complained Mr. Leung, who does not sell any drugs to youngsters.
Mr. Leung further said the law infringes upon buyers’ privacy.
“Buyers’ personal data could be illegally used by the dispensaries,” said he.
Mr. Tsang rejected this notion. “People should trust the professionalism of the pharmacists in the dispensaries. The policy is in no way infringing on patients’ lives,” he said.
While the effectiveness of the law is being questioned, Mr. Szeto said that it is only an expediency.
“Legislation is only a pessimistic way to combat drug abuse. Better education and rehabilitation should be the ultimate solutions,” said Mr. Szeto.
