ENG-2010 — Page 387

Public Order | 325

Preventive Education and Publicity

Schools play an important role in preventing drug abuse. To tackle youth drug abuse in schools, the ND continues to support the EDB in promoting the institutionalisation of a school-based healthy school policy incorporating anti-drug

measures.

Support for schools continued to be strengthened. Structured professional training for school personnel was provided. Training sessions and seminars, supported by an anti-drug resource kit for schools were organised to provide school managers and teachers with useful information for the development of a healthy school policy, the formulation and evaluation of anti-drug education programmes and curricula, the identification of students at risk and needing assistance, and the use of community resources and cross-disciplinary efforts in preventing and tackling drug abuse by students.

Preventive education programmes and measures for students were stepped up. In view of the lowering of the average age of young drug abusers, drug education. programmes for students were extended to Primary Three in the 2010-11 school year. The target coverage of students has been increased to 80 per cent of all Primary Three to Primary Six students of local schools and 70 per cent of international schools and designated schools serving non-Chinese speaking students.

As part of the enhanced support services for parents and the school sector, a series of measures was implemented. These measures included district-based parent seminars, publication of anti-drug educational materials such as frequently asked questions and newsletters, and a telephone support service manned by social workers for handling drug-related enquiries from parents and teachers available by dialling 186 186.

A territory-wide publicity campaign with the theme 'No Drugs, No Regrets. Not Now, Not Ever' launched in June 2008 has heightened public awareness of the youth drug abuse problem. Building upon that campaign, a series of initiatives with a new theme, 'Stand Firm! Knock Drugs Out', was launched in July to encourage young people to stay away from drugs. To tie in with the new theme, three new sets of Announcements in the Public Interest (APIs) and posters were produced. Various means, including large outdoor banners, advertisements at public transport stations, karaoke clubs and upstairs bars, SMS messages on mobile phones and on the internet, were used to promote the anti-drug message. A new set of television and radio APIs on the dire consequences of abusing thinner and cough medicine was also produced.

The ACAN and the ND joined Radio Television Hong Kong in organising a series of programmes to drive home the anti-drug message. This series was launched with a ceremony in June to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, and featured a radio drama series. Radio segments with interviews with celebrities and young ex-abusers, anti-drug talks, a song competition, and a family day camp promoted anti-drug messages and positive life attitudes among young people, as well as the importance of family support in preventing drug abuse.