HEALTH
During the year, the Narcotics Division's school team and the three non- government organisations under the pilot scheme gave 976 drug education programmes for 83 021 students in 331 primary schools and 101 secondary schools and the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education. Programmes were also organised for parents, members of youth organisations and juvenile offenders at the boys' and girls' homes operated by the Social Welfare Department. To equip teachers and social workers in spreading anti-drug messages, training workshops and seminars were organised. Drug education programmes were also provided for trainee teachers of the Hong Kong Institute of Education.
The Narcotics Division also conducted drug education programmes for employers and employees. During the year, 21 programmes for 2 273 participants were conducted with the aid of a newly produced video on the harmful effects of drug abuse at the workplace.
Anti-drug publicity in the electronic media included a new promotional announcement on better alternatives in life. A poster on the same theme was also produced and distributed to the community. Early in the year, ACAN sponsored the production of a four-episode docu-drama series, Anti-drug Special, by Radio Television Hong Kong. The series, based on the addiction and treatment experience. of four former drug abusers, was shown on Chinese-language television channels.
ACAN provided funding support to encourage community involvement in organising anti-drug education and publicity activities. During the year, 13 district campaigns organised by District Fight Crime Committees were given financial assistance with ACAN funds. Under the ACAN Community Against Drugs Scheme, 17 projects organised by District School Liaison Committees and district youth groups were similarly sponsored.
During the year, the ACAN Youth Volunteer Group organised competitions on poster design, drama script writing, and cartoon drawing. It also participated in various anti-drug publicity activities and campaigns. The group expanded its membership to include other age groups. An ad hoc group group under ACAN was formed to review the operation of the group and the way forward. It also explored the possibility of expanding the membership and strengthening training. Another ad hoc group under ACAN was formed to start preparations for the future Drug Information Resource Centre. The centre will serve as a central repository of information on drug and substance abuse as well as to provide support for the implementation and co-ordination of anti-drug programmes and services.
ACAN's Anti-drug Abuse Hotline (2366 8822) received 21 283 calls during the year. It provided valuable information on law enforcement, drug treatment and rehabilitation services and anti-drug education and publicity through a 24-hour interactive voice response system and automated facsimile service.
Drug Abuse
Information on drug abuse cases is collated by the Central Registry of Drug Abuse (CRDA) from reports sent to it by a network of reporting agencies which include law enforcement departments, treatment and welfare agencies, hospitals and clinics. About 16 000 drug abusers were reported in 1999. This figure represented around three per thousand of the population in Hong Kong.
185