TY - JOUR
T1 - Databases for Substance Use Research in Hong Kong
T2 - An Introduction
AU - Shing Cheng, Vincent
AU - Situ, Xinyi
AU - Zhang, Serena Yunran
AU - Au, Grace Wing Yan
AU - Li, Jessica C.M.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2025
PY - 2026/2
Y1 - 2026/2
N2 - This article introduces drug data resources in Hong Kong, with a critical review of the Central Registry of Drug Abuse (CRDA). It begins by examining the evolution of drug policies from prohibition to rehabilitation, highlighting the contributions of various agencies in data collection. By analyzing academic articles that cite the CRDA from 2010 to 2023, we argue that while the CRDA is recognized for its comprehensive demographic data, it also faces limitations, including underreporting and a lack of detailed information on factors associated with drug use. Despite these challenges, the CRDA remains the most comprehensive official source of drug-related data in Hong Kong, providing valuable insights for researchers and policymakers. To enhance its reliability and applicability, we recommend cross-disciplinary validation of the data, establishing a robust tracking system for individual drug use trajectories, and including diverse demographic and geographic statistics, such as age, ethnicity, and location of drug use, to inform targeted treatment programs.
AB - This article introduces drug data resources in Hong Kong, with a critical review of the Central Registry of Drug Abuse (CRDA). It begins by examining the evolution of drug policies from prohibition to rehabilitation, highlighting the contributions of various agencies in data collection. By analyzing academic articles that cite the CRDA from 2010 to 2023, we argue that while the CRDA is recognized for its comprehensive demographic data, it also faces limitations, including underreporting and a lack of detailed information on factors associated with drug use. Despite these challenges, the CRDA remains the most comprehensive official source of drug-related data in Hong Kong, providing valuable insights for researchers and policymakers. To enhance its reliability and applicability, we recommend cross-disciplinary validation of the data, establishing a robust tracking system for individual drug use trajectories, and including diverse demographic and geographic statistics, such as age, ethnicity, and location of drug use, to inform targeted treatment programs.
KW - Hong Kong
KW - databases
KW - substance use
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105023413404
U2 - 10.1177/10439862251387436
DO - 10.1177/10439862251387436
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105023413404
SN - 1043-9862
VL - 42
SP - 41
EP - 60
JO - Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice
JF - Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice
IS - 1 Special Issue: Crime and Punishment Databases in Greater China
ER -
