Healthy School Programme open for applications (with photo)
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     The Healthy School Programme, supported by the Beat Drugs Fund (BDF), is now open for applications. All secondary schools in Hong Kong and non-government organisation (NGO) partners of their choice may submit applications on or before May 19 (Friday) for implementing activities in the 2023/24 school year. The Programme is a school-based anti-drug education initiative that aims to foster a healthy drug-free culture in schools. Through diversified personal growth activities and voluntary school drug testing, the Programme facilitates the physical and mental development of students and strengthens their resolve to stay away from drugs.
 
     Representatives of the Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau visited the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Kap Yan Directors' College today (April 26) and exchanged views with its teachers and students in order to understand the progress of projects of the 2022/23 school year. The school has participated in the Programme for seven years and arranged a diversified range of activities with the funding provided under the Programme, including the Health and Anti-drug Day held today in the school where different booths had been set up. By taking part in the interactive games offered in the booths, students gained a thorough understanding of harmful effects caused by drug abuse and they were also reminded to stay away from drugs at all times.
 
     The school welcomes the additional resources provided by the Programme that can be used for arranging the most suitable anti-drug activities for students according to a school's own needs, thereby establishing a healthy drug-free culture in the school. The Programme provides great flexibility for schools in implementing their projects by allowing schools to collaborate with different organisations to arrange activities and voluntary drug tests. The voluntary drug testing element of the Programme can also strengthen students' resolve to stay away from drugs. In addition, the students of the school consider that the Programme provides them with more opportunities to receive correct information about drugs and learn how to resist drug temptation. 
 
     By now, the Programme has entered its 12th year of implementation. About half of all the secondary schools in Hong Kong take part this time, which shows that the effectiveness of the Programme is being recognised. The Programme for the 2023/24 school year is now open for applications. The ND encourages more secondary schools and NGO partners of their choice to join the Programme and protect the next generation from the harmful effects caused by drug abuse. The application form and programme details are available from the Healthy School Programme website (www.nd.gov.hk/en/HSP.html). Enquiries could be made by phone at 2867 5974 / 2867 5975 / 2867 5976 or by email to sb-hspdt@sb.gov.hk.

Ends/Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Issued at HKT 14:05

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