*******************************************************
Hong Kong Police have begun full-scale anti-drug operations in every district since June this year, the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, said today (November 15). More than 1,000 drug related crime cases were detected, with more than 1,300 people arrested and 80 kilogrammes of various drugs, valued at $50 million, seized, he added.
Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of the "World Lions Service Day" organised by the Lions Club International District 303 – Hong Kong and Macau, Mr Lee stressed that the Government adopted a zero tolerance attitude towards drug traffickers and exerted every effort to combat drug related crimes.
Mr Lee said, "Hong Kong will strengthen co-operation with the Mainland and foreign authorities to curb the flow of drugs into Hong Kong to prevent their afflicting our future generations."
Other than stepping up law enforcement, the Government would expedite community mobilisation, community support, drug testing and rehabilitation to tackle youth drug problems to prevent youth from abusing drug and to help addicted youth break the habit.
He said, "Teenagers are easily influenced by peers at this stage of their growing process. They may try drugs even if they are slightly frustrated, driven by curiosity, or instigated by bad people."
"We will implement the Trial Scheme on School Drug Testing in Tai Po District next month (December). The objective is to boost the determination of students to say 'no' to drugs and create a drug-free culture in schools. The scheme will also trigger the motivation of those students abusing drugs to seek help and quit drugs"
Mr Lee pointed out that the youth drug problem was one of the symptoms of complicated social problems. Apart from stepping up law enforcement, publicity and preventive education, it was also necessary to mobilise all sectors of the community to forge a youth caring culture.
Through consolidating the efforts of people at district level, we could help youths to build a positive attitude towards life, boosting their ability to counter enticement and stress, he said.
Ends/Sunday, November 15, 2009
Issued at HKT 11:36
NNNN
