HEALTH
A compulsory in-patient treatment programme is operated by the Correctional Services Department under the Drug Addiction Treatment Centres Ordinance. The department runs two addiction treatment centres, one for up to 704 males on the island of Hei Ling Chau and the other for 100 females at Tai Lam Chung. These treatment programmes range from two to 12 months, the actual period being determined by the inmate's progress and the likelihood of continued abstinence from drugs following release. All persons discharged are given one year of statutory after-care.
In 1992, the two voluntary treatment programmes and the Correctional Services Department's compulsory treatment programme admitted 12 200 abusers. On average, 12 800 drug abusers and ex-drug abusers were receiving some form of treatment, rehabilitation or after-care every day.
The counselling centre, PS33, set up in Tsim Sha Tsui in April 1988 to provide counselling and telephone advice for psychotropic substance abusers, handled 113 cases and 1 176 telephone and drop-in enquiries during the year. PS33 is operated by the Hong Kong Christian Service with financial support from the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Preventive Education and Publicity
The government and the community continued their efforts in promoting anti-drug preventive education and publicity. The main themes of the publicity campaign in 1992 were similar to those for 1991, with more emphasis being placed on alerting youngsters to the harmful effects of abusing drugs and other substances. The publicity message for the year was Substance abuse can ruin your life, Say NO to drugs.
Six district campaigns were held involving the community through carnivals, variety shows, competitions and exhibitions.
The Narcotics Division's school talks team gave 295 drug education talks to 100 917 students in 165 secondary schools and technical institutes throughout the territory. Starting from September, drug education talks using different approaches were extended to Primary 6 students and to the four colleges of education. Apart from school students, talks were also organised for members of youth organisations, parents, juvenile offenders at the boys' and girls' homes operated by the Social Welfare Department and Vietnamese illegal immigrants.
To support the annual International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, a bus parade was organised and a large-scale exhibition was held in Kwai Fong Metroplaza in June. A simple anti-drug message, Say NO to Drugs, was also applied as a post mark on all mail in June.
In 1992, a Community Against Drugs Scheme was established to replace the former Youth Against Drugs Scheme with a view to encouraging more interested groups to plan and implement their own anti-drug education and publicity projects. Under the scheme, financial support up to $5,000 per project will be granted. The 55-member ACAN Youth Volunteer Group took part in district campaigns and organised a number of community involvement projects. The ACAN Youth Advisory Group, comprising a cross-section of young people, continued to give advice on educational and publicity materials and activities.
The ACAN Drug Abuse Telephone Enquiry Service received 2731 enquiries, the majority seeking information on treatment facilities.
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