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The Secretary for Security, Mr Lai Tung-kwok, visited Sai Kung District this afternoon (May 8) to learn more about drug treatment and rehabilitation services as well as anti-drug and crime-fighting efforts in the district.
Accompanied by the District Officer (Sai Kung), Ms Maureen Siu, Mr Lai visited the Sai Kung New Being Oasis established by the Christian New Being Fellowship to learn about the training and work experience of its residents.
The Fellowship provides academic and vocational training to help young drug abusers quit drugs and acquire skills to facilitate their reintegration into society. The Sai Kung New Being Oasis provides various facilities, which include a pet playground, a teahouse and a handicraft shop, for its residents to put into practice the knowledge and skills acquired through training.
Mr Lai said he was pleased to learn that the training has helped youngsters build up self-confidence. He encouraged the young people to grasp the valuable learning opportunity to equip themselves with skills for their future reintegration into society.
Mr Lai then proceeded to the Hong Kong Lutheran Social Service Rainbow Lutheran Centre, where he was briefed about the centre's services and chatted with young people at the centre. Mr Lai encouraged them to develop healthy hobbies, stay away from drugs and establish a positive outlook on life.
The Hong Kong Lutheran Social Service Rainbow Lutheran Centre is one of the 11 Counselling Centres for Psychotropic Substance Abusers subvented by the Social Welfare Department. Its service targets include psychotropic substance abusers and their families, secondary school students, youth workers and teachers in the district. It provides a wide range of services including counselling, preventive education and outreaching services to at-risk youths.
Before concluding his visit, Mr Lai also met with members of the Sai Kung District Fight Crime Committee to learn more about the anti-drug and crime-fighting efforts of the committee and exchange views with members on law and order matters and other issues of mutual concern.
Ends/Friday, May 8, 2015
Issued at HKT 20:00
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