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services for methadone patients and provision of a series of training and education programmes for the staff and social workers of the methadone clinics. The Department of Health has also secured funds for extending individual counselling services to additional patients, and for organising additional group counselling services and family therapy groups in 2002-2003.
In April, the Drug Dependent Persons Treatment and Rehabilitation Centres (Licensing) Bill was passed by the Legislative Council. The bill introduced a licensing scheme aimed at enhancing the standard of services provided by drug treatment and rehabilitation centres and ensuring that drug dependent persons undergoing treatment and rehabilitation will receive services in a properly managed and secure physical environment. It is planned that the ordinance will become effective on April 1, 2002.
During the year, the Lands Department granted a seven-year short term tenancy to the Hong Kong Christian Service for setting up a new drug treatment centre for young drug dependent persons in Tuen Mun. The centre will be the first of its kind in Hong Kong offering a mixed mode of treatment, comprising short-term residential treatment programme and non-methadone outpatient treatment programme. Construction work on the centre is under way, with completion scheduled for the end of 2002.
Preventive Education and Publicity
The Narcotics Division continued to adopt a multi-faceted approach in publicising the anti-drug message during the year. To strengthen drug education for students, as in previous years, the Narcotics Division continued to provide drug education programmes for students from Primary 5 up to Senior Secondary levels and for those in the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (HKIVE). In September, the service was extended to cover students of schools of the English School Foundation (ESF) and International Schools.
Three non-governmental organisations the Community Drug Advisory Council, the KELY Support Group and the Caritas-Hong Kong Lok Heep Club, were commissioned by the Narcotics Division to deliver these drug education programmes. During the year, a total of 1 292 drug education programmes for 109 751 students in 290 primary schools and 200 secondary schools were delivered. A total of 94 programmes were also conducted for 4 674 students of the HKIVE.
To promote the anti-drug message to more young people through the 'train-the- trainer' approach, the Narcotics Division had enhanced co-operation with youth uniform groups such as the Scout Association of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Girl Guides Association, the Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol, the Hong Kong Red Cross and the Civil Aid Service in organising training programmes for their group leaders. Drug talks, exchange sessions with rehabilitated young people or social workers, and visits to drug treatment centres and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Drug InfoCentre were arranged for the group leaders of these uniform groups. Upon completion of the training courses, they were awarded anti-drug badges and encouraged to spread the anti-drug message to other group members.
Special efforts were made during the year to warn the public, especially young people, about the danger of abusing psychotropic substances. A series of publicity material, including posters and leaflets on the harmful effects of psychotropic