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The Secretary for Security, Mr Lai Tung-kwok, visited Tai Po District this afternoon (March 28) to learn about the anti-drug and crime fighting efforts in the district.
Accompanied by the District Officer (Tai Po), Mr Bassanio So, Mr Lai first met with youth participants of the "Be-Pe Cheerer" Community Sports Scheme. Mr Lai was glad to learn that the scheme had helped the youngsters build self-confidence and deal with problems. He encouraged young people to actively participate in healthy activities and develop a positive outlook on life and values, which could help them resist the temptation of drugs.
Launched in 2008, the "Be-Pe Cheerer" Community Sports Scheme was initiated by the Hong Kong Children and Youth Services in collaboration with sports and medical organisations. The scheme aims to help and support youngsters in the fight against drugs and crime through sports training, mentoring programmes, and a medical examination and treatment service. So far more than 600 young people have participated in the scheme.
Mr Lai, accompanied by the Chairman of the Association of Secondary School Heads in Tai Po District and the Chairman of the District Fight Crime Committee (Tai Po), Mr Kwok Wing-keung, and Mr So, then met with convenors of the working groups under the Committee to learn more about the anti-drug and fight crime work in the district (including programmes at schools). Mr Lai expressed his gratitude for the enhanced efforts made by the Committee and the Association in promoting anti-drug and fight crime messages, and for fostering an anti-drug culture in schools.
The Trial Scheme on School Drug Testing was carried out in all secondary schools in Tai Po District in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years. An evaluation research report affirmed the positive results of the scheme in enhancing students' resolve to stay away from drugs, cultivating a drug-free culture on campus, and motivating students troubled by drugs to seek help. Following the success of the scheme, the Government in the 2011-12 school year started to encourage all secondary schools in the territory to pursue the Healthy School Programme comprising both diversified personal growth programmes and a drug testing component. The Association of Secondary School Heads in Tai Po District has been granted Beat Drugs Fund funding to launch the programme in 18 schools of the district for two school years.
Before concluding his visit, Mr Lai met with District Councillors to exchange views on law and order matters and other community issues.
Ends/Friday, March 28, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:48
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