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The following is issued on behalf of the Secretariat of the Beat Drugs Fund Association:
The Beat Drugs Fund invites grant applications for the 2011 Funding Exercise from today (July 4) until August 15.
The fund aims to promote worthwhile anti-drug activities that can help address the problem of drug abuse, particularly among youths, and to promote community-wide efforts in organising programmes against drug abuse in Hong Kong.
For the 2011 Funding Exercise, the Association will give priority consideration to treatment and rehabilitation projects or projects involving treatment and rehabilitation components to encourage the provision of more effective and pertinent programmes in meeting the service needs. Depending on the number of quality applications, the funding approved for these projects may rise to about 50% of the total grant sum available.
In considering applications, priority will be given to programmes involving multi-disciplinary collaboration in addressing treatment and rehabilitation needs of drug abusers; projects providing a continuum of service from identification of drug abusers to treatment and rehabilitation, and their reintegration into society; programmes providing a targeted through-train service for specific groups, such as ethnic minorities, female drug abusers and young people with high-risk backgrounds; projects that make use of new and effective measures or approaches in tackling the problem of psychotropic substance abuse, especially in effectively identifying and assisting hidden drug abusing youth; and projects that would better meet the treatment and healthcare needs of residents in drug treatment and rehabilitation centres.
Other priority areas include projects raising local community acceptance of treatment and rehabilitation facilities, and structured anti-drug training for social workers and healthcare professionals to enhance their role in early identification and intervention.
On the research front, studies relating to a supplementary drug monitoring system (qualitative module), and research on new and innovative treatment and rehabilitation services will also be given priority consideration.
Application forms and guides to the 2011 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, Hong Kong and all Public Enquiry Service Centres of the Home Affairs Department.
Phone enquiries are welcome on 2867 2737 or 2867 2286; or by fax on 2810 1790; or via email to sbeon4@sb.gov.hk.
The results of funding applications will likely be released in the first quarter of 2012. The next round of funding grants is expected to be invited in the second quarter of 2012.
Since the establishment of the Beat Drugs Fund, 581 projects have been supported involving some $337 million. Of the funds approved, about $59.78 million has been granted for 89 treatment and rehabilitation projects, $168.36 million for 381 preventive education and publicity projects, $24.98 million for 25 research projects, and $74.37 million for 81 mixed-type projects.
Ends/Monday, July 4, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:28
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