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A mobile phone game - the trendy entertainment for young people - is being used for the first time to spread anti-drug messages. The Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) and the Narcotics Division of the Security Bureau today (July 11) launched a new game "Evil Killer" for free download in both mobile phone and computer versions.
The new game is designed to combat Ketamine and Ecstasy, the two most commonly abused psychotropic drugs among young people. Game players need good memory and perfect co-ordination skills to overcome the difficulties posed by the cyber characters "Evil K" and "Evil E". Players will learn about the harm Ketamine and Ecstasy can do as they battle through the different stages of the game.
At today's launching ceremony, the Commissioner for Narcotics, Ms Sally Wong, called on youth to take part in healthy activities during the summer vacation, and not to be fooled by the wrong concept that taking psychotropic drugs was trendy.
She pointed out that some young people thought it would be harmless to try drugs at entertainment premises or parties. They wrongly believed that they would look "cool" and not get "hooked". In actual fact, she said, the abusers would find their brains and bodily functions damaged, IQ falling to an alarming level, and the rehabilitation process painful and formidable.
"Taking psychotropic drugs is abusing dangerous drugs. It is against the law and the maximum penalty is seven years' imprisonment plus a fine of $1 million," she said.
Ms Wong thanked both the commercial and the social welfare sectors for their support of the anti-drug cause. The CROSS Centre of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals jointly organised the launch ceremony with the Narcotics Division. Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Limited will use their 3G mobile communication platform and Hutchison Global Communications Limited will use their website to help spread the game to young people. The Service Ambassadors of California Red Karaoke Limited will promote the game in their shops and invite customers to download the game via a Bluetooth device.
Pop singer Eric Suen attended the ceremony as Anti-drug Ambassador. He played the "Evil Killer" game, competing against more than 40 youths. As a symbolic act of defeating Ecstasy and Ketamine, Suen; the Commissioner for Narcotics, Ms Sally Wong; the Chairman of the ACAN Sub-committee on Preventive Education and Publicity, Ms Scarlett Pong; the Fifth Vice-chairman cum Chairman of Community Services Committee of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, Mrs Viola Chan; Chief Operating Officer - Mobile of Hutchison Telecom Hong Kong, Ms Amy Lung; and Operation Director of California Red Limited, Mr Jack Chau; knocked down the cyber characters "Evil E" and "Evil K" with huge hammer props.
Players of "Evil Killer" can access both the mobile phone and computer versions of the game. They should first assume the role of a "cool-looking" teenager whose mission is to clamp down on drug abuse. They have to beat the "Evil E, the "Evil K" and the "Brain-eating Monster" in four stages of the game to save their friends from the scourge of drugs.
Starting on Friday (July 13), game lovers can download the game for free at the following locations or websites:
- website of Narcotics Division: www.nd.gov.hk
- website of the CROSS Centre: crosscentre.tungwahcsd.org
- website of 3HK Planet 3G
- Red Box, Red Box Plus, Green Box, Yo Park of California Red (via Bluetooth device)
- Bus shelter at Sincere Podium in Mong Kok, and bus shelter at Top Glory Tower in Causeway Bay (via Bluetooth device from July 13 to August 9)
They can also play the computer version of the game at these websites:
- www.nd.gov.hk
- crosscentre.tungwahcsd.org
- www.hgc.com.hk
Ends/Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:27
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