15
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He said sheltered workshops, historically, provided opportunities for disabled persons to take part in the assembly line of the manufacturing industry in the territory, and sheltered workers were able to get some income in return.
"However, in most cases, the level of income is not self-sufficient for independent living," Mr Strachan said.
On the expansion of rehabilitation services, the Social Welfare chief said the Government's target was to eliminate all the shortfalls by 1996/97.
"To this end, we need to identify suitable premises to set up rehabilitation facilities in the community.
"This requires public acceptance and community support. So we will continue to liaise closely with local leaders to keep the public informed of planned projects as early as feasible.
"We will step up public education to inculcate a more positive and receptive attitude in the community towards people with a disability," Mr Strachan said.
The sheltered workshop opened today is the first of its kind ever run by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals which was founded in 1870.
End/Tuesday, January 17, 1995
Abusers experiment with drugs in their mid-teens
Young drug abusers start to take drugs at average ages of 16.9 and 16.2 for male and female respectively, the Commissioner for Narcotics, Mr Alasdair Sinclair, said today (Tuesday).
Addressing the Progressive Group of Indian businessmen at a luncheon meeting this afternoon, Mr Sinclair built up a profile of drug abusers under 21, whose numbers have recorded a worrying increase in recent years.
Comparing 1993 with the situation four years earlier in 1989, there was a three per cent increase in the number of reported drug abusers over 21 and a much larger increase of 147 per cent among those under 21.
Based on reports made to the Government's Central Registry of Drug Abuse in the first nine months of 1994, the Commissioner said the typical young male was aged 17.4 and the typical young female was 16.6. They would be most likely to live in densely populated areas.