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The Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, today (March 26) visited Sheung Shui Government Secondary School, where he exchanged views with students and shared his experience in cultivating a healthy and positive life. Mr Lee also saw the performance of the "903 Drama Tour" at the school.
The "903 Drama Tour", jointly launched by the Narcotics Division of the Security Bureau, Action Committee Against Narcotics and Commercial Radio 2, is a major initiative under the Territory-wide Campaign Against Youth Drug Abuse, which has the theme of "No Drugs, No Regrets. Not Now, Not Ever".
Mr Lee joined a group discussion with six Form Three students and listened to their reflections and feelings after watching the anti-drug drama "Choices of Stars" with them.
Mr Lee urged students to exercise the right choice by resisting the temptation of taking drugs. He reminded them of the dire consequences of taking psychotropic substances, which were not only addictive but also harmful to different parts of the body, particularly the brain.
Mr Lee expressed appreciation of the school's positive approach in handling a campus drug abuse incident last month. "The Government attaches great importance to combatting the problem of youth drug abuse and drug abuse at schools, which is getting increasingly serious. We will tackle it with a three-pronged approach of preventive education and publicity, law enforcement as well as treatment and rehabilitation," he said.
Mr Lee said the Narcotics Division had been using various ways to disseminate anti-drug messages. They included the broadcasting of anti-drug Announcements in the Public Interest on TV and radio, the display of anti-drug advertisements in public transport and the display of giant wall banners outside buildings, launching a variety of anti-drug publicity campaigns jointly with electronic media, and disseminating anti-drug messages on websites frequented by youths. There are also visits by schools to the Hong Kong Jockey Club Drug InfoCentre and anti-drug talks in primary and secondary schools in which social workers and rehabilitated drug abusers were enlisted to explain the harmful effects of drugs.
Mr Lee urged all schools to step up efforts to introduce a healthy school policy to enhance students' ability to refuse drugs. The Administration will spare no effort in providing appropriate assistance should there be any drug abuse incident in a school.
The "903 Drama Tour" was set up to help young people boost their self-confidence and cultivate healthy hobbies and to acquire anti-drug knowledge through learning stage performance and drama production.
Last September, the drama club recruited members to undergo six-months' training before they embarked on performances in eight secondary schools this month.
The anti-drug drama "Choices of Stars" consists of three stories. The main characters of the three stories are youths of different backgrounds each with their own situation and problems such as lack of family care, and peer and work pressure. They have to make choices when they face the temptation of drugs.
Apart from watching the drama, audiences could take an active part by expressing their views and suggesting different kinds of healthy activities and hobbies for students.
Ends/Thursday, March 26, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:08
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