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Drug abuse telephone enquiry service boosted
The drug abuse telephone enquiry service has been enhanced with the expansion of information provided to the public.
The new Anti-drug Abuse line 23668822 was officially launched today (Saturday) at the opening ceremony of the International Anti-drug Day Exhibition at the Times Square in Causeway Bay.
Speaking at the ceremony, Executive Councillor, Ms Rosanna Wong, said the expansion of the enquiry service would benefit more members of the public.
She said: "The service has been strengthened with the provision of additional information including guide to parents, teachers and social workers, refusal skills and healthy lifestyle."
The drug abuse telephone enquiry hotline was first set up in 1977 and was automated in 1993 to provide pre-recorded information on 12 substances of abuse.
In order to enhance the service to the public, the Narcotics Division decided to expand the scope of the messages by including information on preventive education, treatment and rehabilitation services, law enforcement in the voice messaging system. The new system also provides facsimile service for users to obtain information such as resources available in Narcotics Division.
Ms Wong noted recent statistics indicated that the problems of drug abuse remained a cause of concern.
"The upward trend in youth drug abuse, female drug abuse and multiple drug abuse was worrying,"
"According the statistics of the Central Registry of Drug Abuse, the number of newly reported drug abusers under 21 reaches an average of 2,000 in the past few years. It shows that we cannot spare efforts in the war on drugs."
Ms Wong stressed the importance of community joint effort in disseminating the anti-drug message.
She said: "Only with the support from all sectors of the community can we deliver the message clear and loud, in particular to our youngsters.