ENG-2010 — Page 386

324 Public Order

(CCPSAs), operated by NGOs and subvented by the SWD, provide community-based services to abusers of psychotropic substance.

Under the Drug Dependent Persons Treatment and Rehabilitation Centres (Licensing) Ordinance, treatment centres offering voluntary residential treatment and rehabilitation services to four or more drug dependent persons are required to be licensed by the SWD to ensure that the centres meet relevant safety and management requirements. By year-end, 19 centres were operating with licences, while certificates of exemption were issued to 21 centres that had been operating before the ordinance went into effect.

Treatment and rehabilitation services for drug abusers were further enhanced in 2010: four new CCPSAs were opened in October, bringing the total number to 11; the manpower of 16 district youth outreaching social work teams was strengthened; two DH-subvented treatment centres expanded their service capacity; and additional consultation sessions were arranged in substance abuse clinics.

The ND also continued to work closely with stakeholders to implement a fifth three-year plan on drug treatment and rehabilitation services covering 2009 to 2011. Its key recommendations include strengthening multi-disciplinary collaboration, provision of training for anti-drug workers and enhancing treatment and rehabilitation programmes in terms of capacity and sophistication. The first edition. of a tiered multi-modality framework of treatment and rehabilitation services for drug abusers was published in December. It organises the broad array of services in a more structured conceptual framework for reference by the Government, the anti- drug sector and service users.

Drug Testing

Given the hidden nature of psychotropic substance abuse, the Task Force on Youth Drug Abuse recommended drug testing as an innovative tool for early identification and prevention.

A trial scheme on school drug testing was carried out in 23 secondary schools in Tai Po District in the 2009-10 school year and continued in the 2010-11 school year. An evaluation research completed in November revealed positive results in preventing student drug abuse, motivating students troubled by drugs to seek help and cultivating a drug-free culture on campus. Following its recommendations, the Administration is encouraging other districts and schools to pursue voluntary drug testing as part of the healthy school policy.

Following the Chief Executive's lead in introducing hair drug testing, the Government Laboratory successfully developed the technology with accreditation. It launched a pilot scheme in June, providing free hair drug testing services to interested parties providing drug treatment and rehabilitation and youth services. The ND is exploring expansion of services to other parties and transfer of the technology to industry.

Separately, the Government is studying a proposal for compulsory drug testing with a view to discussing it with stakeholders and consulting the public.