************************************************************
In view of the spread of drug abuse in schools, to help schools formulate a Healthy School Policy (HSP) with an anti-drug element and to help students develop a healthy lifestyle and positive values, the Education Bureau (EDB), the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) and the Security Bureau's Narcotics Division (ND) commissioned the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG) to produce an anti-drug resource kit for schools. The kit, which was launched today (March 17), will be delivered to primary and secondary schools and parent-teacher associations.
The production of the resource kit was sponsored by the Beat Drugs Fund. The kit provides school management, teachers and school social workers with practical reference materials and identification tools, including guidelines on the formulation of the HSP, learning and teaching materials for an anti-drug curriculum, drug information, examples of how to handle drug cases, a referral mechanism and information on community support.
The Government, the HKFYG and ACAN's Working Group on Resource Kit for the School Sector have consulted various educational organisations, parent associations, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, as well as other stakeholders including school heads, teachers and school social workers during the design and production process of the kit.
Appealing to primary and secondary schools to formulate their HSP at a briefing session on the kit today, Under Secretary for Education Mr Kenneth Chen said, "Our focus is to help students develop a healthy lifestyle, positive attitude and values, and acquire practical life skills and refusal skills to resist temptation. With the contribution of all stakeholders to nurture a healthy and harmonious school campus, we are confident that we can help students grow healthily and enhance their immunisation against drugs."
Commissioner for Narcotics Ms Sally Wong said the kit provided schools with systematic and practical material for reference and adoption in carrying out preventive education, early intervention and handling of drug abuse cases. This would help prevent the further spread of drug abuse in schools. She also called for concerted efforts from various sectors of the community to help youth stay away from drugs.
The resource kit comprises three booklets, namely "The Policy", "Anti-drug Education" and "Identification and Handling of Drug Abuse Cases". It also contains a CD-ROM.
The first booklet, "The Policy", focuses on the formulation of a school policy on handling drug abuse cases. It provides practical suggestions to school management on formulating the concept and framework for an HSP with an anti-drug element and points to note when formulating the policy.
The second booklet, "Anti-drug Education", introduces school subjects and key learning areas under the current curriculum with an anti-drug element, and some specific projects which can facilitate schools to implement an HSP with an anti-drug element. The booklet also provides suggestions on the continual professional development of teachers and other staff as well as the co-operation of schools and families in anti-drug efforts.
The third booklet, "Identification and Handling of Drug Abuse Cases", provides teachers, guidance and discipline personnel and school social workers with practical guidelines on the early identification of student drug abusers, appropriate intervention and follow-up action.
The kit contains a CD-ROM with a soft copy of the three booklets. To facilitate the effective implementation of anti-drug education in schools, the CD-ROM also contains learning and teaching materials, such as short films and sound clips, targeting junior and senior form students.
In addition, the HKFYG has produced a summary of the important parts of the resource kit for ease of reference by teachers and relevant parties.
The resource kit has been uploaded onto the ND's website (www.nd.gov.hk) and the website of the resource kit (antidrug.u21.hk).
The HKFYG and EDB will organise a series of briefing sessions in March and April for school heads, teachers and school social workers on the use of the resource kit.
Ends/Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:18
NNNN
