XN000022-1983-12-07 — Page 16

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1983

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+NO REAL SIGN OF YOUTH ALCOHOL PROBLEM+

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THERE IS NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT LOCAL TEENAGERS ARE OBTAINING AND DRINKING LIQUOR IN EXCESSIVE QUANTITIES, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS SAID TODAY IN REPLY TO A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL QUESTION FROM THE HON SELINA CHOW.

MRS CHOW WANTED TO KNOW WHETHER PRESENT LAWS ARE ADEQUATE TO PREVENT THE SALE OF ALCOHOL TO MINORS AND WHETHER THEY ARE BEING ENFORCED.

MR THOMAS SAID IT IS AN OFFENCE FOR A LICENSEE TO PERMIT YOUNG PERSONS TO DRINK INTOXICATING LIQUOR IN LICENSED PREMISES BUT THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIONS ON THE SALE OF ALCOHOL TO YOUNG PERSONS IN RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS.

HE SAID THAT NO REPRESENTATIONS HAD BEEN RECEIVED THAT THE LAW SHOULD BE AMENDED OR STRENGTHENED.

+ENQUIRIES HAVE REVEALED NO REAL EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT LOCAL TEENAGERS ARE OBTAINING AND DRINKING LIQUOR IN EXCESSIVE QUANTITIES, SAID MR THOMAS.

HELP OFFERED TO STREET SLEEPERS

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BOTH IMMEDIATE OFFERS OF HELP AND OFFERS TO PROVIDE COUNSELLING FOR THE LONGER TERM ARE USED TO ENCOURAGE STREET SLEEPERS TO ACCEPT GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE, SAID THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES,

IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON CHAN YING-LUN, WHO WISHED TO KNOW, GIVEN THAT A NUMBER OF STREET SLEEPERS DIÉ EACH WINTER FROM THE COLD, WHAT POSITIVE MEASURES WOULD BE TAKEN THIS YEAR TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO ACCEPT GOVERNMENT HELP.

MR BARNES SAID THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES SEEK OUT AND INFORM STREET SLEEPERS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF ASSISTANCE.

IN ADDITION, SOCIAL WORKERS PERSUADE THEM TO ACCEPT HELP,

AND TO RECEIVE GUIDANCE ON MATTERS SUCH AS OBTAINING HOUSING, ID CARDS, JOBS, BATHS, HAIRCUTS AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.

GENERAL FORMS OF ASSISTANCE, SUCH AS THE OPENING OF COMMUNITY CENTRES IN WHICH STREET SLEEPERS CAN TAKE SHELTER WHEN THE TEMPERATURE FALLS, AND THE PROVISION OF BLANKETS, ARE ALSO AVAILABLE, SAID MR BARNES.

/FIELD UNITS