Research on Optimization of Adolescent Drug Abuse Prevention Policies in Macao

Background: Adolescent drug abuse is an urgent social problem that needs to be solved. This paper aims to explore the optimization of Macao's adolescent drug abuse prevention policy. Methodology: This research uses observation and literature review methods to analyze the shortcomings of the current policy. Results: The study found that Macao’s adolescent drug abuse prevention policy has five main challenges, including the weakening of family functions, drug distribution becomes internet-based, the decentralized anti-drug framework, the leniency of criminal penalties for drug-related crimes, and the concealment of drug use and trafficking. Conclusions: The author proposes strategies in five areas: firstly, promoting the development of anti-drug education towards a family-oriented approach; secondly, making full use of the power of the internet to prevent drug abuse through technology-enhanced precision; thirdly, further improving the anti-drug mechanism by establishing specialized channels for assistance; fourthly, increasing the penalties for drug crimes to combat the root of drug trafficking; finally, encouraging multi-party cooperation and exchange to establish an interconnected intelligence information system. This paper hopes to provide references and insights for the improvement of public policies on drug prevention among youth in Macao.