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A two-year Territory-wide Campaign Against Youth Drug Abuse was launched today (June 28) with a new slogan "Not Now Not Ever". The Acting Chief Executive, Mr John C Tsang, the Secretary for Justice, Mr Wong Yan Lung, SC, and a number of Principal Officials, together with Dr Choi Yuen-wan, Chairman of the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) and Chairmen of its Sub-committees, officiated at the launching ceremony.
"Hong Kong's most valuable asset is its people. Young people are our hope and our future. The youth drug abuse problem is tearing the fabric of Hong Kong - our home. This is totally unacceptable. We will not tolerate the scourge of drugs on our youths," Mr Tsang said at the opening ceremony.
"Different Government departments have joined hands to fight against drug abuse, but this is not enough. We also need the involvement and participation of different sectors from the community."
He appealed to people from all walks of life to contribute to the Campaign Against Youth Drug Abuse.
Mr Tsang said, "The Beat Drugs Fund will sponsor 59 projects this year with a record total grant of $33 million. The work of the Task Force on Youth Drug Abuse ("Task Force") led by the Secretary for Justice is in full swing. A series of short and medium term measures are being implemented with the additional resources of $53 million. The Task Force will continue its deliberations and map out long-term anti-drug strategies. Sustainable and comprehensive measures will be worked out."
Mr Wong Yan Lung said, "The problem of youth drug abuse is becoming more serious in recent years, deeply besetting our next generation. I have seen with great sorrow many young people losing their health, studies, work and families because of drugs."
Mr Wong hoped that the Campaign would correct common misunderstanding and misconception about psychotropic substances.
After today's ceremony, a series of publicity and promotional programmes will be launched, including new TV and Radio Announcements in the Public Interest (APIs), posters, an anti-drug theme song, leaflets, booklets, exhibition panels, souvenirs, etc. In addition, non-governmental organisations, community and district organisations, as well as District Fight Crime Committees will also organise preventive education and publicity activities to disseminate anti-drug messages.
Anti-drug APIs and related advertisements will be placed in the public transportation networks, including in MTR cabins and platforms, bus shelters and bodies, taxi bodies and tram shelters. The advertisements will also be placed at cross-boundary control points. A number of giant outdoor banners will be mounted at various government premises. Anti-drug messages will be publicised through the Internet as this medium is popular among the youth. In addition, anti-drug leaflets will be mailed directly to households through government bills.
The Government will collaborate with radio and TV stations to produce programmes targeting the youth.
Mr Wong Yan Lung pointed out that the objective of the Task Force was to map out long-term, sustainable and comprehensive strategies. The Task Force considered that drug tests would facilitate early intervention work to help drug-taking youngsters understand the harmful effects of drugs on their health and obtain assistance. The Task Force is now studying the subject in detail.
Following thorough discussions and extensive consultation since the establishment of the Task Force in October last year, initial measures for the short and medium term have been announced. The Task Force would continue its deliberations in respect of preventive education and publicity, treatment and rehabilitation, law enforcement, research, and external co-operation, with a view to concluding and reporting its work later.
Besides Mr John C Tsang and Mr Wong Yan Lung, other officiating guests of the opening ceremony included Secretary for Education, Mr Michael Suen; Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee; Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow; Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing; Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung; Chairman of the ACAN, Dr Choi Yuen-wan; Convener of the Research Advisory Group, Professor Daniel Shek Tan-lei; Chairman of the ACAN Sub-committee on Preventive Education and Publicity, Ms Scarlett Pong Oi-lan; and Chairman of the ACAN Sub-committee on Treatment and Rehabilitation, Dr Ben Cheung Kin-leung. They called on the youth to say no to drugs.
In the "Sharing Session" that followed the ceremony, Mr Wong discussed with parents who had children with drug abuse problems. He considered family as the first line of defence in combatting youth drug abuse. One of the effective ways to protect children from drugs was more parental care with good communication with children.
In addition, a new series of TV APIs featuring real cases were premiered in the event. Popular music duo FAMA gave a debut performance of the campaign's theme song and a pop music group comprising rehabilitated youths also shared their feelings with the audience through music.
Ends/Saturday, June 28, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:01
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