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I mentioned earlier the huge increase, the almost exponential increase in those figures, in the first four years of this decade. So we called last year's summit so that we could try to focus the community's attention on the problem and try to mobilise as much interest, action and concern as possible. To try to do what not many other communities have been successful in doing, which is to push the figures down again.
We may have been lucky in the first year. The figures have edged down a bit. But that is no reason for us resting on our faurels, that is no reason for us becoming complacent, for us relaxing. We have still got a long way to go and we will only achieve our objective if we work together, if we help one another, if we learn from one another, and if we set ourselves the priority of beating drugs in Hong Kong.
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Drugs as we have heard from some contributors today drugs wreck lives, drugs wreck families, drugs cast away all the good things in life and prevent people achieving their potential as citizens and as individuals. They cost the whole community so much waste. So it really is in our interest here in Hong Kong to do everything we can to beat drugs. I am grateful for your attendance today as part of that campaign, and I know we will go out from this summit determined over the next year to continue the fight in our individual and collective ways.
I know you are all busy. I am grateful for your attendance today, I am grateful for the time that you have given to this Summit, and I can assure you that we will be taking your ideas forward as enthusiastically and vigorously as possible. Thank you. all very much indeed.
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Parents urged to help beat drugs
The Director of the Education, Mrs Helen C P Lai Yu, today (Thursday) called on parents and the community to join schools and the Government in their effort to beat drug abuse.
Addressing the Governor's second Summit Meeting on Drugs, Mrs Yu said: "Preventive education is not a ready panacea. We need commitment, not just of schools or Government but also of parents and the entire community. "We appeal to parents in particular, to dedicate extra efforts to the guidance of our young. Young people with firm family support are less likely to fall prey to drug abuse.
"As for us in Education Department, we pledge to do more. We aim to do better still," she said.