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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 2012 Funding Exercise from today (August 24) until September 28.
The fund aims to promote worthwhile anti-drug programmes that can help address the problem of drug abuse. For the 2012 Funding Exercise, the Association will accord priority to projects that meet specific direct service needs for treatment and rehabilitation (T&R), drawing particular reference to the strategic directions set out in the Sixth Three-Year Plan on Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Services in Hong Kong (2012-14). On the preventive education and publicity front, priority will be given to innovative projects that complement T&R efforts in tackling the emerging issue of "hidden" psychotropic substance abuse, in particular those that can encourage drug abusers and/or their families to seek help early, so as to facilitate the early identification of drug abusers and enable timely intervention.
In considering applications, priority will be given to programmes that help rehabilitated drug abusers to minimise the possibility of relapse and assist their reintegration into society; programmes that facilitate inter-agency collaboration and referral with a view to providing a continuum of service across different stages including identification, engagement, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration into society; programmes that provide family support services for high-risk youths and drug abusers at different life stages, with the ultimate objective of helping T&R of drug abusers; programmes that provide structured training for anti-drug workers and related personnel to improve the effectiveness of T&R services; programmes that address the needs of specific groups, such as ethnic minorities, female drug abusers and those who have developed medical complications as a result of long-term abuse of psychotropic substances.
Other priority areas include programmes that provide training for or promote the awareness of parents or frontline workers in the early identification of hidden drug abuse so that assistance can be given; and programmes that promote community acceptance of T&R services and facilities.
On the research front, research towards the development of a qualitative drug monitoring system will be given priority consideration.
The application form and Guide to Beat Drugs Fund 2012 Funding Exercise are available on the website of the Narcotics Division, Security Bureau (www.nd.gov.hk/en/beat.htm). They are also available for collection 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; by fax on 2810 1790; or via e-mail to sbeon4@sb.gov.hk.
The results of applications under the Beat Drugs Fund 2012 Funding Exercise are expected to be released in the first quarter of 2013.
Since the establishment of the Beat Drugs Fund, 603 projects have been supported involving some $425 million. Of the funds approved, about $71.5 million has been granted for 96 T&R projects, about $171.3 million for 382 preventive education and publicity projects, about $26.9 million for 26 research projects, and about $81.6 million for 85 mixed-type projects.
Ends/Friday, August 24, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:52
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