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Carnival enhances teenagers' awareness of drug pitfalls
Although the problem of teenage drug abuse in Wong Tai Sin District was not very serious when compared with other areas, the issue should not be taken lightly due to its long-term effect on the younger generation.
The Wong Tai Sin District Officer, Mr Richard Luk, said today (Sunday).
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Wong Tai Sin District Anti-Narcotics Carnival, Mr Luk noted that the problem was worsening in recent years while drug abusers started taking drugs at a younger age.
The range of drugs being abused also expanded from hard drugs such as heroin to cough medicine, tranquillisers, and even chemicals like gaseous fuels and thinners, he added.
"The problem of drug abuse among young people is one of the Government's main concerns.
"The first Drug Summit was held last year to set out a comprehensive work plan and to co-ordinate departmental and local efforts to combat the drug problem. Beat drugs activities are launched at community levels all over the territory while periodic reports are published," he said.
According to some research reports, Mr Luk added, youngsters made an attempt to take psychotropic and other drugs out of curiosity, peer group pressure and ignorance of the effect of drugs as well as a lack of parental guidance.
"Today's carnival, organised by the Wong Tai Sin District Fight Crime Committee, is aimed at heightening the public's awareness of the lethal effects of drugs, signs of children taking drugs and ways to tackle the problem correctly," he said.
Mr Luk also called on everyone to cherish one's life and say "no" to drugs.
The carnival was jointly organised by the Action Committee Against Narcotics, the Urban Council and the Metro Broadcast Corporation Limited with assistance from the Wong Tai Sin District Office and sponsorship from the Wong Tai Sin District Board. The programme included exhibitions, quizzes, games and various performances.
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