XN000022-1995-03-22 — Page 36

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Drug abuse of young people in Yuen Long

Following is a question by the Hon Zachary Wong Wai-yin and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Peter Lai, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

The problem of drug abuse by young people has become increasingly serious in Yuen Long. It is learnt that the Government is planning to set up a drug addiction treatment centre in Yuen Long to provide services to first-time young drug abusers. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

(c)

Answer:

Mr President.

(a)

(b)

of the estimated number of young people abusing drugs in Yuen Long; of this number, how many are students and what is the age of the youngest drug abuser;

of the objectives of the proposed drug addiction treatment centre and the details of its specific plan; and

what are the factors that will be taken into consideration in determining the location of the treatment centre; and whether the public will be consulted before any decision is taken; if so, how the public consultation will be carried out; if not, why not?

The number of young drug abusers (below the age of 21) in Yuen Long district reported to the Central Registry of Drug Abuse was 316 in 1994. Statistics on the number of students among these young drug abusers are not available. The age of the youngest drug offender reported in Yuen Long is 10.

The objective of the proposed drug addiction treatment centre, to be operated by the Society for the Aid and Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers (SARDA), is to develop an alternative facility wholly and exclusively for the treatment of young male drug abusers. A new facility is required because existing treatment facilities on the remote island of Shek Kwu Chau do not segregate young abusers from addicts with a long history of abuse and, accordingly, the environment there is not entirely conducive to the restoration of young abusers to a drug-free life.