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In response to media enquiries regarding some recent remarks made in public on youth drug abuse, a Government spokesperson said today (March 22) that according to media reports, the person concerned had instantly clarified his remarks and stressed that he had no intention of encouraging young people to try drugs.
The spokesperson said, "No matter what type of drug it is, be it heroin or psychotropic substances, both will cause severe and even irreversible harm to the body. Drug abuse is highly addictive and must not be treated lightly. Therefore one of the key messages of our anti-drug campaign is to remind young people not to try drugs, not even once.
"According to the law of Hong Kong, drug taking is an offence for which the maximum penalty is imprisonment for seven years and a fine of $1 million."
The spokesperson added, "No single sector of the community alone can tackle the problem of drug abuse effectively. We must motivate the whole community to fight against drugs. We hope that all sectors can help disseminate the message 'Not Now, Not Ever' in their own sphere and foster a drug-free healthy environment in Hong Kong."
Ends/Monday, March 22, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:11
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