ENG-1993 — Page 204

HEALTH

Eight district campaigns were held, involving the community through carnivals, variety shows, competitions and exhibitions.

The Narcotics Division's school talk team gave 242 drug education talks to 83 000 students in 226 primary and secondary schools and technical institutes. Starting from September, drug education talks using different approaches were extended to Primary 6 students. Apart from school students, talks were also organised for members of youth organisations, parents, and juvenile offenders at the boys' and girls' homes operated by the Social Welfare Department.

To better equip prospective teachers and social workers for the fight against drug abuse, a series of drug education workshops were organised for students of the four colleges of education and a territory-wide seminar was held for social workers. A seminar for private medical practitioners was also organised to appeal for their support in reporting drug abuse cases.

In support of the annual International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, a large-scale exhibition was held in Sha Tin in June. The anti-drug message 'Say NO to Drugs' was also applied as a post mark on all mail for two weeks in June.

The Community Against Drugs Scheme continued to provide encouragement to interest groups to plan and implement their own anti-drug education and publicity projects. Under the scheme, financial support of up to $5,000 is granted for each project. The 75-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, advised on educational and publicity materials and activities.

The ACAN Drug Abuse Telephone Enquiry Service was enhanced and automated in February, providing information on 12 types of commonly abused substances. Information on treatment facilities was also available. A total of 370 000 calls were received during the year.

International Action

Hong Kong continued to play an active international role, maintaining close links with the United Nations, inter-governmental agencies such as the Financial Action Task Force, Interpol and the Customs Co-operation Council, as well as with individual governments. The territory took part in 34 regional and international meetings and seminars concerned with anti-drug policies, law enforcement, treatment and rehabilitation, and preventive education.

The techniques and methods employed in Hong Kong have made it an important venue for training anti-drug personnel from overseas. During the year, 306 people from 19 countries and international bodies came to the territory on study visits and training courses.

As at the end of the year, bilateral agreements had been concluded with 11 foreign jurisdictions with a view to enhancing international co-operation, particularly with regard to the tracing and confiscation of the proceeds of drug trafficking.

Auxiliary Medical Services

The Auxiliary Medical Services (AMS), formed in 1950, is a disciplined medical civil defence corps. Its primary mission is to provide supplementary resources to augment regular medical and health services in times of natural disasters and emergencies.

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