Emotions often run high during the holiday season, and the Caritas Lok Heep Club warns that some young people may turn to drugs as their way of coping.

Parents are being advised to keep that in mind when it comes to their children.

The group interviewed 100 people between 13 and 30 years old in the past month. All of them had used drugs before. Just under 71 percent said the holiday atmosphere gives them the urge to abuse drugs, while 57 percent said that drugs taken over the holiday season make them feel more high than during other times of the year.

Daniel Shek, a professor in the University of Hong Kong's Department of Social Work, said that the long holiday season and sentiments made Christmas a high-risk time for drug abuse by youths.

"During holiday seasons, youngsters will more easily be emotionally driven rather than reason driven," he said.

The club, which offers counseling services to drug abusers and their families, said 1,476 new abuse cases were opened in the past five years, or about 25 a month. There was also a 25.2 percent increase of reported cases in February and March, with most drug abusers saying they used drugs more during the just-ended holiday season.

Some young people also buy drugs with others to get more for their money, leading to heavier doses, particularly during holiday festivals, the study found.

Chun, a 21-year-old drug rehabilitant, said: "Drug abuse during festivals is a popular but fatal youth culture".

During the 2003 Christmas holiday, Chun overdosed in a disco, became delirious and then passed out. Soon, he found his memory had become impaired, and he was dependent on drugs. Finally his family took him to Caritas Lok Heep Club.

Nearly all of his friends were drug abusers as well, he said.

The study revealed that all of the interviewees took drugs with friends during festivals. Shek said that peer pressure would entice youngsters to abuse drugs.

Caritas Lok Heep Club found that drugs are becoming cheaper and available in more places. More youths took drugs in parks, at karaoke and at home when their families weren't home.

David Cheung, supervisor of the Caritas Wong Yiu Nam Center, said that it was very difficult to discover youngsters taking drugs, as most of these places were private.

He suggested that parents be more aware of their children's daily lives, including their friends and the places they go. Talking to them casually may get them to open up, and if drug abuse is discovered, help should be sought from social workers.

The Narcotics Division of Security Bureau will step up its anti-drug publicity campaign on MTR, train stations, bus stops and televisions during the Christmas season. The bureau also cooperates with a local telecommunication company to send anti-drug text messages to adults aged 18 to 25.

(HK Edition 12/19/2007 page6)