************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Secretariat of the Beat Drugs Fund Association:
Organisations and individuals are invited to apply from tomorrow (November 1) until December 31 for grants from the Beat Drugs Fund to carry out anti-drug projects that will begin after April, 2006.
The fund is to promote worthwhile anti-drug projects that could help reduce the problem of drug abuse, particularly among the young, and to promote community-wide efforts in the campaign against drug abuse in Hong Kong.
For the 2006-07 funding exercise, projects proposed pursuant to 12 selected themes will be given priority consideration in the application exercise.
Grants disbursed by the fund will normally not exceed $3 million and the funding period will normally not exceed two years, except for projects that are regarded as exceptionally innovative, in which case the maximum grant can be $5 million and the maximum funding duration can be three years.
Application forms and guides to the funding exercise can be downloaded at the website of the Narcotics Division (www.nd.gov.hk/beat.htm). They are also available for collection at the Secretariat of the Beat Drugs Fund Association, 30/F High Block, and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Drug InfoCentre, Roof Floor, Low Block, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway; all Public Enquiry Service Centres of the Home Affairs Department; and the District Social Welfare Offices of the Social Welfare Department.
Enquiries can be made by phone on 2867 2737 or 2867 2286; by fax, 2810 1790; or email, sbeon4@sb.gov.hk.
The Beat Drugs Fund was set up by the Government in 1996 with a capital base of $350 million to subsidise worthwhile community projects in the fight against drugs.
So far, 289 projects have been supported by the Beat Drugs Fund involving a total of almost $133.76 million. Of the funds approved, about $35.59 million has been granted for 59 treatment and rehabilitation projects, $84.49 million for 211 preventive education and publicity projects, $4.06 million for eight research projects and $9.62 million for 11 mixed-type projects.
Ends/Monday, October 31, 2005
Issued at HKT 15:10
NNNN
