ENG-2008 — Page 379

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including ACAN and FCC, to consolidate strategies from a holistic perspective, spearhead cross-bureaux and inter-departmental efforts, and enhance collaboration among non-governmental organisations (NGOs), stakeholders and the community in promoting the anti-drug cause.

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The task force concluded its work and published a report on November 11, 2008, with a host of recommendations from short to long term - spanning over the five prongs of the anti-drug policy and for promoting a community culture of care for young people.

Legislation

Regular reviews are conducted to see whether amendments or revisions to the existing ordinances are needed to deal with changes in the drugs world.

Treatment and Rehabilitation

The Narcotics Division works with its anti-drug partners to provide a variety of treatment and rehabilitation services for drug abusers from different backgrounds. The major services include the running of a compulsory drug treatment programme by the Correctional Services Department, a voluntary methadone outpatient treatment programme provided by the Department of Health, and voluntary residential programmes run by NGOs. Psychiatric treatment for substance abusers is provided by seven substance abuse clinics under the Hospital Authority. In addition, the Counselling Centres for Psychotropic Substance Abusers, operated by NGOs and subvented by the Social Welfare Department (SWD), provide community-based services to psychotropic substance abusers. Two new centres were opened in December, bringing the total to seven.

Under the Drug Dependent Persons Treatment and Rehabilitation Centres (Licensing) Ordinance, centres offering voluntary in-house treatment to four or more people need to be licensed by the SWD to make sure the centres meet present-day safety and management requirements. By year-end, 13 centres were operating with valid licences, while Certificates of Exemption were issued to 26 centres that had been operating before the ordinance went into effect.

As a result of the rising trend of psychotropic substance abuse in recent years, a two-year pilot project to provide body checks and motivational interviews for young substance abusers was launched in early 2008. It is aimed at widening the network for early identification and intervention at the community level, particularly for young and occasional drug abusers.

The ND continued to work closely with other stakeholders on implementing the recommendations of the fourth three-year plan (2006-08) for drug treatment and rehabilitation in Hong Kong. Its key recommendations include strengthening co-operation between medical practitioners and NGOs to address the medical needs of drug abusers and to extend the scope for early intervention.

Preventive Education and Publicity

Schools are an important platform for preventing drug abuse. The ND works. with the Education Bureau (EDB) and other relevant departments to promote a