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A revised protocol for poly-drug abusers was introduced to anti-drug workers at a briefing session today (December 7), arranged by the Narcotics Division (ND), Security Bureau. The aim of the briefing was to enhance the knowledge and skills of frontline workers in assessing and screening poly-drug abusers.
The "Screening and Assessment Protocol for Poly-drug Abusers" was first issued in October, 2003. In 2005, the division invited the research team led by Consultant Psychiatrist of Castle Peak Hospital Dr Leung Shung-pun to revise and update the content based on views from social workers, frontline anti-drug workers and professionals on the original version. The Narcotics Division believed that the revised protocol would further assist social workers who could better assess and refer abusers for treatment and rehabilitation services.
The Commissioner for Narcotics, Mrs Rosanna Ure, said that despite the decreasing trend in the total number of drug abusers during the past 10 years, it was worth pointing out that the percentage of reported drug abusers with a multiple drug abuse habit rose from 13% in 1999 to 24% in 2004.
"The division needs the support of the anti-drug professionals in tackling the problem, and upgrading the treatment and rehabilitation services, in view of the changing drug abuse patterns in Hong Kong," Mrs Ure said.
She said the Government, non-governmental organisations, social workers and professionals in the anti-drug field must continue to work together to provide early identification and intervention services to poly-drug abusers.
Introducing the use of the protocol at today's briefing sessions were Senior Clinical Psychologist of Kwai Chung Hospital, Dr Wong Chee-wing; Ms Cherry Lee of the Society for the Aid and Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers and Dr Leung Shung-pun and Dr Lam Ming of Castle Peak Hospital. They also shared experiences with more than 100 anti-drug workers on the assessment guidelines in areas related to the medical and drug history of abusers as well as the reasons to seek help.
CD-Rom of the protocol will be distributed to drug treatment agencies and related organisations and government departments. Members of the public can download the content at the ND website (http://www.nd.gov.hk/treatment.htm) later.
Mrs Ure also announced that the certificate course for social workers and peer counsellors would soon be open for application. The certificate course is commissioned by the Division and provided by the School of Continuing Education of Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU).
The purpose of the certificate course is to equip frontline workers with knowledge and skills in providing drug treatment and rehabilitation services. During the six-month structured training course, students will substantially upgrade their knowledge and skills by acquiring information on the pharmacology of psychotropic substances and drugs; drug abuse trend; development of drug treatment and rehabilitation services; drug-related ordinances; management of residential services, staff and information; self-understanding, development and EQ management; emotional and risk management; relationship between drug abuse, individuals and family; applications of counselling skills, etc.
The course will be open for applications in mid-December and classes will begin on February 7, 2006. Interested anti-drug workers may file their applications via the agencies or centres where they are employed. Course details and application guidelines will be available on Friday (December 9) on the websites of ND (http://www.nd.gov.hk/c_treatment.htm) and the School of Continuing Education of HKBU ( http://www.sce.hkbu.edu.hk/pgm/by_pgm/drug.pdf ).
Ends/Wednesday, December 7, 2005
Issued at HKT 15:35
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