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The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, visited Sha Tin this afternoon (September 21) to get first-hand information about community services provided to young people with special needs.
Accompanied by the Sha Tin District Officer, Mrs Do Pang Wai-yee, Mr Tang first visited Choi Jun School, which caters for children with mild intellectual disability. He observed students in motor and perception coordination, home economics and arts classes. Mr Tang spoke with the students and encouraged them to equip themselves with more skills to better adapt to future lives.
Choi Jun School has about 120 students in primary and secondary classes, all of whom were admitted through referral by the Education Bureau. Apart from academic subjects, the school also provides training on living and other skills, as well as individual counselling (such as counselling for autistic children and speech therapy), in order to improve their capabilities for self-care and social interactions.
Mr Tang said that, after the implementation of the new senior secondary curriculum, the Government will flexibly process the applications for extension of stay at schools from students with intellectual disability. ˇ§I am glad to note that the Education Bureau has approved all 15 applications from students aged over 18 at Choi Jun School to continue to stay at the School,ˇ¨ he said.
Mr Tang then headed to the Barnabas Half Way House to visit the young female occupants who are receiving drug rehabilitation treatment. Chatting with some of the occupants, he said, ˇ§Some of the occupants may encounter difficulties in their families, schools or the society. They went astray because of the lack of support. I am pleased to see they are treated with understanding and receive support here to lead healthy and positive lives.ˇ¨ He also said drug abuses by young female is worsening and he was worried about the situation. Efforts to combat drug abuses need to be taken immediately at schools and in the community.
Barnabas Half Way House, with a capacity of 25 places, mainly serves young female drug abusers. Some of the occupants have already finished nine-month residential treatment at the Barnabas Lamma Training Centre. They are receiving a further three-month treatment at the Half Way House before going back to the community. Other occupants are admitted directly to receive three- to six-month short-term treatment. One year follow-up will be provided to occupants after they have left. The Half Way House combined personal development with education and career counselling to help occupants rebuild positive values to embrace family and social lives.
Mr Tang then visited the ˇ§Neo-Horizonˇ¨ of the Ma On Shan Integrated Children and Youth Services Centre to learn about the services for young drug abusers. Mr Tang spoke to frontline social workers to understand their work. He commended the social workers for their contribution to the anti-drug efforts, and said they were important partners of the Government to combat drug abuses.
ˇ§To help young people to stay away from drugs, we need the understanding and support of the community. I hope more community members and groups can work with the Government and relevant organisations to support anti-drug efforts. Letˇ¦s give a chance to young people and help them re-establish themselves,ˇ¨he said.
Mr Tang also chatted with several service users to learn about their reasons to take drugs and how social workers have helped them. Mr Tang encouraged them to remain steadfast in leading positive and healthy lives after quitting drugs.
ˇ§Neo-Horizonˇ¨ offers personal and family counselling services as well as career supports and clinical referrals to help young people quit drugs. It also provides outreaching services. Social workers reach out to youths at risk with the aim of early intervention. Furthermore, it partners with community organisations and schools to implement preventive anti-drug measures.
Ends/Monday, September 21, 2009
Issued at HKT 20:55
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