Story maps
故事地圖

Around 6200 heroin users were reported in 2010 in Hong Kong. The map shows their distribution by district and the locations of their gathering places, the latter derived from a recent study.

Clearly heroin users are not evenly distributed by their resident locations. Their mobility pattern have likewise varied. They tend to gather near the methadone clinics where they have access for substitution treatment. In a study in 2011, the gathering places were mapped by field workers with the help of volunteers familiar with the drug taking community. Some 70% of the gathering places are within 100m from the nearest methadone clinic. The estimated number of heroin users in each gathering place ranges from 100 to 400. The age of heroin users in gathering places located in the urban areas, except Sham Shui Po, is higher, compared to rural places. Social networks have naturally been formed comprising heroin users sharing behavioural practice and also information. These gathering places provide an avenue for epidemiologic studies and the introduction of health promotion activities.

Data on gathering places were obtained from a study developed by Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, while district level statistics were obtained from Central Registry of Drug Abuse Sixtieth Report, Narcotics Division, Security Bureau.

香港2010年吸食海洛英的報告數大約是6200人。地圖顯示該類吸毒者的地區分佈及他們的聚集地，後者數據取自一項近期研究。

從吸毒者的居住地區看來，他們的分佈並不平均，活動範圍更是十分參差。研究指出他們大多聚集於美沙酮診所附近，而圖中七成的聚集地都在美沙酮診所100米範圍。每個聚集地的人數估計在100至400人之間。雖然每人的逗留時間都各有不同，但是吸毒者多數慣常留連同一聚集地。位於市區聚集地(深水埗區除外)的年長吸毒者(大於55歲)比例較新界區高。聚集地所形成的社區網絡促使吸毒者交流訊息，甚至在行為上相互影響。另一方面，聚集地也是進行流行病學研究的好地方，亦可以用作推行健康干預措施的平台。

地圖中引用的聚集地資料源自香港中文大學何鴻燊防治傳染病研究中心，分區數據取自保安局禁毒處藥物濫用資料中央檔案室第六十號報告書。