ENG-1965 — Page 185

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SOCIAL WELFARE

Centres, which give residential training to those who need help in finding a niche in society or in overcoming difficulties of behaviour and relationship. During the year the Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society collaborated with the Hong Kong Council of Social Service in commissioning a research project on drug addiction in Hong Kong carried out by Dr M. G. Whisson, who published his findings in July. Constructive suggestions for amending the law relating to the treatment of juvenile offenders were made by a working party appointed by the Governor which reported in May.

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND EMERGENCY RELIEF

The aim of the relief section of the Social Welfare Department is to rehabilitate and restore the destitute and needy to full, or at least partial, economic independence. Cooked meals or dry rations are provided as an immediate measure of 'first aid' and efforts are then made to help each family to solve its difficulties, often by enlisting the aid and support of other departments or of one of a number of strong and resourceful voluntary agencies. The number of families receiving public assistance showed a slight increase during the year from 2,234 to 2,271. A number of voluntary agencies, including the Co-operative for American Relief Everywhere, Catholic Relief Services, Church World Service, Lutheran World Service and the Seventh Day Adventist Welfare Service, operate supplementary feeding schemes.

In the aftermath of natural disasters, the Community Relief Trust Fund shares a great part of the load of providing immediate relief in the form of cash grants. Voluntary agencies such as the kaifong associations, the British Red Cross Society, the Salvation Army and many others give aid in the form of cash grants, blankets, new or used clothing, food parcels and cooking utensils.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION

Community centres run by the Social Welfare Department provide a variety of services including day care for pre-school children, vocational training for young people, social case work and libraries. All these services are a means towards the end of helping people increase their capacity to take the initiative in meeting their own social needs. Through community development