HEALTH
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drug treatment and rehabilitation in Hong Kong, the first such plan was drawn up in 1997. While presenting different types of drug treatment and rehabilitation programmes currently available in Hong Kong, and planned/proposed projects for expansion, the second plan also examined major developments in drug treatment and rehabilitation in the past three years.
During the year, the bill on registration of treatment and rehabilitation centres was being drafted. This aims to impose regulatory control on drug treatment and rehabilitation centres in order to ensure that drug patients undergo treatment and rehabilitation in a properly managed and secure environment with competent staff. It is expected that the bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council in 2000.
Preventive Education and Publicity
Anti-drug preventive education and publicity programmes in 1999 continued to take a multi-faceted approach in disseminating anti-drug messages. The programmes educated young people to understand that there was no difference between 'hard' and 'soft' drugs in terms of the harm they could do to their lives; helped them to develop the life skills to resist drugs; pointed out that there were alternatives to drugs when coping with problems; and encouraged them to adopt a healthy lifestyle and lead a drug-free life.
To enlist the support of the community, the Narcotics Division organised an Anti- drug Season, which spanned June to November and comprised a series of anti-drug activities held in conjunction with other government departments and non- government organisations.
The season was launched with a rural concert marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Wu Kai Sha on June 26 which was attended by about 800 youngsters. Other activities included visits to drug treatment centres for teenagers, a drug education day camp held in Tso Kung Tam Outdoor Recreation Centre and various preventive education and publicity activities sponsored by the Beat Drugs Fund, including quizzes, lyrics competitions, carnivals, painting and design competitions, and slogan competitions.
As the grand finale of the Anti-drug Season, a telematch was held in Victoria Park on November 21 with teams from various government departments and non- government organisations taking part. The event was attended by about 400 youngsters and guests.
To disseminate information on the harmful effects of drug abuse and educate students on the skills to refuse drug offers, the Narcotics Division gave drug education talks to secondary school students as well as primary five and six students using drug education videos, interactive lectures and games.
Starting from March, the Narcotics Division introduced a pilot scheme on partnership with non-government organisations in conducting school education programmes in primary schools. The Community Drug Advisory Council and the Life Education Activity Programme were commissioned to conduct drug education programmes in primary schools. Starting from the 1999-2000 school year, the KELY Support Group was also commissioned to conduct drug education programmes in secondary schools.