Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive Donald Tsang pledged on Tuesday to take quick action to curb youth drug abuse amid rising public concern over the issue after reports of youngsters taking ketamine even in school.

Speaking after the Executive Council meeting in the morning, Tsang said the secretary for security will discuss with schools interested in a voluntary drug testing scheme, to see whether pilot schemes can be launched early.

"The quicker we act, the more students we can save," he said.

"Young people are the most valuable asset of Hong Kong. Drug abuse is their number one enemy. I pledge the government will spare no effort in combating the youth drug problem."

He said he was deeply disturbed to learn of drug abuse among students, and the fact that the problem is worsening.

He guaranteed more resources will be earmarked to expedite the implementation of needed measures.

A string of youth drug abuse cases dominated newspaper headlines in Hong Kong since the start of this month. Three boys of a secondary school were found unconscious Thursday in a park due to drug overdose. Two days later, two 15-year-old girls were found dazed on a beach. The latest victim of the youth drug scandal is four female students caught using drugs at school premises.

Source: Xinhua