XN000022-1995-02-15 — Page 59

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Reply:

Mr President,

The government is concerned about the potential health hazard posed by improperly disposed used syringes to residents in public housing estates. Measures are being taken by various departments to tackle the problem.

The Housing Department requires its cleansing contractors to remove immediately any discarded syringes found in the estates and to report to the estate office. Patrol guards and estate staff are instructed to keep a vigilant watch on the situation during their patrols. Estate staff also maintain close liaison with the Police to combat the problem and intensify patrol of black spots. On the other hand, notices are put up in estates to draw tenants' attention to the problem. They are encouraged, through regular estate newsletters, to report to the Police or estate office any discarded syringes found in the estate.

For the long term, education and training on the proper disposal and collection of used syringes will continue to be the main strategy in tackling the problem. The proper disposal of used syringes is incorporated as part of the health education messages targeted towards drug abusers. The message is disseminated to drug abusers through various channels - leaflets and handouts are distributed, reminders are posted in methadone clinics, workshops for recovering drug abusers and counselling services provided for methadone patients also emphasize drug abusers' social responsibility in proper disposal of used syringes.

The Working Group on Drug Abuse and AIDS under the Committee on Education and Publicity on AIDS, in collaboration with the Pui Hong Self-Help Association, conducted a "Cleaning-up of Abandoned Syringes Pilot Project" in 1994. One of the objectives is to promote the proper disposal of used syringes. To this end, efforts are made to remove abandoned syringes from "black spots", and to distribute education leaflets to drug abusers in the vicinity.

End/Wednesday, February 15, 1995