by the Information Services Department and the Narcotics Division of the Government Secretariat, the sub-committee launched a series of projects.
9 One of the major projects undertaken was an anti-drug campaign held in the Kowloon City area which has a population of over 400,000, or ht nine per cent of Hong Kong's total population. The campaign began on 21st November 1976 and lasted for one month. Like similar campaigns held in Tsuen Wan, Kwun Tong and Chai Wan in 1973, 1974 and 1975 respectively, the Kowloon City campaign was aimed, on the one hand, at preventing drug abuse among young people and, on the other hand, exhorting community involvement in the fight against drugs. More than 30 Government departments, voluntary agencies and other civil organizations joined hands during the campaign to organize anti-drug exhibitions, lectures, film shows, variety shows, recreational and athletic activities and visits to drug addiction treatment centres. Besides supporting the campaign with posters, banners, leaflets, stickers and other hand-outs, a substantial amount of publicity was also mounted on television, radio and in the press to make the message of the campaign known not only to those living in the Kowloon City area, but to the whole population of Hong Kong. (See illustration on p. 63.)
10 With the help of the Census and Statistics Department and students of the Hong Kong Polytechnic, a survey to evaluate the impact of the campaign was conducted. Some 1,800 residents from all walks of life in the Kowloon City area were interviewed. Findings of the survey indicate that the campaign was success- ful, with 75 per cent of the 280,000 people aged between 15 and 60 saying that they were aware of the campaign and more than 10 per cent having actually participated in the campaign activities.
11 Another large-scale project was the Second Annual Anti-Narcotics Cup/E.P. Ho Cup Basketball Tournament which was held between September and November in all ten urban districts. The tournament was organized in conjunction with the Home Affairs Department, the Recreation and Sport Service of the Education Department and the Hong Kong Amateur Basketball Association. It was aimed at encouraging young people to divert their energy and interest to such healthy activities as basketball. Eighty-four teams comprising almost 1,000 young men aged under 20, participated. Over 20,000 anti-drug pamphlets were distributed to spectators at the 180 matches, and anti-drug plays were staged at the basketball courts during intervals. (See illustration on p. 64.)
12 Towards the end of the year, work began on the production of a documen- tary film which will be used for publicizing Hong Kong's anti-narcotics efforts, achievements and intentions overseas. Arrangements will be made for the film to be shown in foreign countries in the coming year.
13 In June 1976 the Government launched a methadone detoxification out- patient programme for drug addicts, details of which are given in Chapter 10. To introduce the programme which is a new mode of treatment for drug addicts in Hong Kong, an intensive publicity drive was mounted, using virtually all kinds of media ranging from television, radio and press advertisements to posters, leaflets and telephone enquiry service. The results were very encouraging. Over 6,600 addicts had registered for this new treatment by the end of the year. At one stage, however, it was discovered that drug-pushers were spreading rumours about alleged medical side effects of methadone, all of which were lies so as to dissuade addicts from seeking treatment. With the large number of addicts patronizing the clinics the "pushers" and their drug-trafficking masters
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were losing about $2 millions each month. As a result, another round of publicity was quickly organized to counteract these rumours.
14 Methadone detoxification has now become generally known to addicts in Hongg. Continuous publicity will be required, however, to encourage more of the come forward and make use of the treatment facilities.
15 As in the past, the sub-committee maintained close contact and co-operation with voluntary agencies and other non-government organizations during the year, in order to foster greater community involvement in combatting the drug pro- blem. On many occasions the Narcotics Division collaborated, on behalf of the sub-committee, with these organizations on anti-drug education projects such as seminars, film shows, lectures and the production of anti-drug publicity materials. (See illustration on p. 64.)
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