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The following is issued on behalf of the Secretariat of the Beat Drugs Fund Association:
Applications for the Beat Drugs Fund 2007-2008 Supplementary Funding Exercise will open from tomorrow (September 13) to November 8. Organisations and individuals may submit applications to the Secretariat of Beat Drugs Fund Association for grants during this period.
The two project themes for the 2007-2008 Supplementary Funding Exercise are "a pilot collaboration scheme on strengthening co-operation between medical practitioners and non-government organisations to provide early intervention for young substance abusers", and "longitudinal study on psychotropic substance abusers in Hong Kong".
The pilot collaboration scheme aims to meet the demand for medical services by psychotropic substance abusers. Through the supplementary funding exercise, the Beat Drugs Fund Association will subsidise the co-operation among non-government organisations, institutes, anti-drug organisations and private medical practitioners. It is hoped that more experience will be accumulated to enable the possible launching of a more elaborate collaboration programme in the future. Apart from bringing the expertise of medical practitioners to address the medical needs of abusers, the pilot scheme also aims to widen the network for early identification and intervention at community level so abusers, particularly young and occasional drug abusers, will be given medical treatment or referred to counselling or other services at an early stage.
As regards the other theme "longitudinal study on psychotropic substance abusers in Hong Kong", the Beat Drugs Fund Association encourages partnerships between tertiary institutions and non-government organisations for submission of joint projects.
Information such as the format, duration and budget is set out in the project briefs attached to the Guide to Application for applicants' reference. Application forms and guides to the funding exercise are available on the website of the Narcotics Division, Security Bureau (www.nd.gov.hk/beat.htm). They can also be collected in person 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) at Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong; all Public Enquiry Service Centres of the Home Affairs Department; and the District Social Welfare Offices of the Social Welfare Department.
Enquiries are welcome by phone at 2867 2737 or 2867 2286; by fax at 2810 1790; or via email to 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 projects that can contribute to the fight against drug abuse in Hong Kong, and enlist community support for this effort.
The supplementary funding exercise is different from the fund's annual exercise. The supplementary funding exercise is launched subject to the financial position of the fund each year.
Ends/Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:02
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