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voluntary agencies to control drug addiction is achieving F
considerable success: the significant reduction in the number
of young people taking to drugs is particularly encouraging.
Social Welfare
6. The Hong Kong Government's social welfare programme is
based on a means-tested, non-contributory public assistance
scheme which provides payments sufficient to meet basic needs
to those families whose total income falls below a given level.
Additional payments are available to those in special need,
such as the disabled, and the long-term unemployed.
The Governor,
in his speech at the opening of the current session of the
Hong Kong Legislative Council, also announced that proposals
were under consideration for providing cover against the risks
of sickness, injury and death. No decisions have yet been reached
on the most suitable way to provide this cover.