A quantitative analysis of socioeconomics of illicit drug use for improving targeted interventions in Hong Kong

Abstract

Illicit drug use is a critical and challenging issue globally, but there is a lack of thorough understanding of the underlying mechanisms of drug use, which is essential for policy interventions, in many threatened places. This study aims to explore the socioeconomic determinants of drug use to support policy design in Hong Kong and other regions with similar issues. Multiple linear regression models and fixed-effects models are employed to examine the socioeconomic determinants of drug use based on the most comprehensive data on drug use and population in Hong Kong from 1991 to 2016. The estimates show that demographic and socioeconomic characteristics are important predictors of illicit drug use. The highest rate of drug use is observed for people aged between 20 and 30, as well as for those with primary education. Compared with males, the female drug use rate is 15 (or 46) per 10,000 people lower for the newly (or previously) addicted cases. A 10% increase in monthly income is associated with a 14% drop in drug use rate at the district level. The average annual expenditure on drug use is USD 32.6 million in Hong Kong. Drug policies shall pay more attention to these at-risk groups, and shall consider more financial support to lower the drug use rates.