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The following is issued on behalf of the Secretariat of the Beat Drugs Fund Association:
The Beat Drugs Fund invites the second round of grant applications for the 2010 Funding Exercise from today (October 21) until November 30.
The fund aims to promote worthwhile anti-drug activities which can help address the problem of drug abuse, particularly among the young, and to promote community-wide efforts and programmes in the campaign against drug abuse in Hong Kong.
For the second round of the 2010 Funding Exercise, priority consideration will be given to treatment and rehabilitation projects to encourage more programmes in this area.
Preference will be given to projects supporting the Fifth Three-year Plan on Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Services in Hong Kong (2009-2011); programmes providing targeted preventive education or intervention services to specific groups such as ethnic minorities, young female drug abusers and young people with high-risk backgrounds such as new immigrants, single-parent families or families with drug-taking problems; projects that make use of new measures or approaches in tackling the problem of psychotropic substance abuse, especially in identifying and rendering assistance to "hidden youth" with a drug abuse problem, as well as projects which help curb the problem of cross-boundary drug abuse.
Other priority areas include projects that encourage community mobilisation, community support, preventive education and that enhance parental anti-drug education.
On the research front, studies on a supplementary drug monitoring system (qualitative module) will be given priority consideration.
To enhance the support for the community to organise more anti-drug activities, the maximum amount to be granted for each project has been increased to $6 million. The funding period is also extended to three years. For projects that are regarded as exceptionally innovative, the maximum grant can be up to $10 million and the funding duration can be up to five years.
Application forms and guides to the funding exercise are available on the website of the Narcotics Division, Security Bureau (www.nd.gov.hk/en/beat.htm). They can also be collected at the Secretariat of the Beat Drugs Fund Association (30/F, High Block), the Hong Kong Jockey Club Drug InfoCentre (Roof Floor, Low Block) at Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, and all Public Enquiry Service Centres of the Home Affairs Department.
Enquiries are welcome by phone at 2867 2737 or 2867 2286; by fax at 2810 1790; or via email to sbeon4@sb.gov.hk.
The Beat Drugs Fund was set up by the Government in 1996 with a capital base of $350 million to fund worthwhile community projects in the fight against drugs. The Government injected $3 billion into the Fund in 2010 to generate more investment income to support anti-drug efforts by various parties in the community.
So far, 547 projects have been supported by the Beat Drugs Fund involving some $297 million. Of the funds approved, about $54.87 million has been granted for 85 treatment and rehabilitation projects, $160.36 million for 374 preventive education and publicity projects, $19.38 million for 22 research projects, and $52.1 million for 61 mixed-type projects.
Ends/Thursday, October 21, 2010
Issued at HKT 11:27
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