HEALTH
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In support of the annual International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, a large-scale exhibition and a live radio show disseminating anti-drug messages were held in Kwai Fong in June. Five radio shows were held during the summer holidays, reaching out to about 1 500 000 young people.
The anti-drug message 'Say NO to Drugs' was also applied as a post mark on all mail for two weeks in June and July.
The Community Against Drugs Scheme continued to provide encouragement to interest groups to plan and implement their own anti-drug education and publicity projects. Under the scheme, financial support of up to $6,000 is granted for each project. The 71-member ACAN Youth Volunteer Group took part in district campaigns and organised a number of community involvement projects.
The ACAN Drug Abuse Telephone Enquiry Service provided information on 12 types of commonly abused substances. Information on treatment facilities was also available. A total of 160 000 calls were received during the year.
A new charitable venture, the Life Education Activity Programme (LEAP), was launched in January. Operating out of a mobile classroom, LEAP reached out to primary school children aged from five to 12, helping them to learn about their bodies, the importance of health, the impact of drugs and how to make decisions.
International Action
Hong Kong continued to play an active international role, maintaining close links with the United Nations, inter-governmental agencies such as the Financial Action Task Force, Interpol and the Customs Co-operation Council, as well as with individual governments. The territory took part in 20 regional and international meetings and seminars concerned with anti-drug policies, law enforcement, treatment and rehabilitation, and preventive education.
The techniques and methods employed in Hong Kong have made it an important venue for training anti-drug personnel from overseas. During the year, 475 people from 33 countries and international bodies came to the territory on study visits and training courses. At the end of the year, bilateral agreements had been concluded with 11 foreign jurisdictions with a view to enhancing international co-operation, particularly with regard to the tracing and confiscation of the proceeds of drug trafficking.
The 15th conference of the International Federation of Non-Government Organisations for the prevention of drug and substance abuse was held in Hong Kong in December. The conference aimed to promote team-work between government and non-government organisations in developing practical alternatives to drug abuse and associated risk-related behaviours.
Auxiliary Medical Services
The Auxiliary Medical Services (AMS) is a disciplined medical civil defence corps, established in 1950 to provide supplementary resources to augment regular medical and health services in times of natural disasters and emergencies. In recent years, the service has begun to work on developing disaster-focused medicine in Hong Kong.
The AMS has an establishment of 90 permanent staff and 5 258 volunteers from all walks of life, including physicians, nurses, paramedical personnel, civil servants and laymen in the