Objective  To analyze the trend in prevalence of drug abuse in Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao) during 2009 – 2017.

  Methods  We collected data of 2009 – 2017 on drug abuse from the Central Registration System for Drug Abusers in Macao and analyzed the data retrospectively.

  Results  Of all the registered drug abusers in Macao during the period, 80.2% were male; 89.4% received the education of junior secondary school; 45.4% were from the families with no other drug abuser; and 59.7% had a criminal record. Significantly positive correlations were observed between the proportions and the years (r = 0.7 for all, P < 0.05 for all). The average age of drug abusers and average age at first drug abuse were positively correlated with the years (r = 0.9 for both, both P < 0.01 for all). For the drug abuser during the previous three months, the average age of heroin abusers was higher than that of cocaine, 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and ketamine abusers (P < 0.01 for all). Inverse correlations were found between the proportion of drug abusers mainly using a single type of drug and taking drugs at home/friend's home with the years (r = 0.7, 0.8 respectively, P < 0.05 for all). Peer influence and stress/pain relief were the main contributing factors for drug abuse and the proportion of the drug abusers reporting the two contributing factors was not correlated linearly with the years (P ＞ 0.05). No linear correlation was found between monthly drug expenses and the years (P > 0.05).

  Conclusion  Drug abusers in Macao are mainly male, with the education of junior secondary school, from a family with no other drug abuser, with criminal record, and abusing drugs at home or friends' home; the proportions of the drug abusers with those mentioned characteristics increased yearly and the average age and the age at first drug abuse also increased yearly during the period from 2009 to 2017.