ENG-2011 — Page 382

330 Public Order

Narcotics Division

The Narcotics Division (ND) of Security Bureau co-ordinates anti-drug policies and measures, particularly those against youth drug abuse, which has been a concern to society in recent years. It also oversees anti-money laundering and countering terrorist financing in respect of non-financial sectors.

Overall Strategy and Co-ordination

The Government adopts a five-pronged strategy in the fight against drug abuse, as embodied in the report of the Task Force on Youth Drug Abuse led by the Secretary for Justice. The strategy involves preventive education and publicity, treatment and rehabilitation, legislation and law enforcement, external co-operation, and research.

The Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN), a non-statutory body comprising professionals in the medical, youth service, education, media, community service, legal and anti-drug fields, advises the Government on anti-drug strategies. Chaired by a non-official, ACAN has 17 non-official members and five official members, namely Commissioner for Narcotics and representatives from the EDB, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Department of Health (DH) and the SWD. Under an arrangement between Singapore and Hong Kong, the Director of Singapore's Central Narcotics Bureau also sits on the committee. The ACAN is underpinned by two subcommittees on preventive education and publicity and on treatment and rehabilitation. The subcommittees comprise members with diverse backgrounds and expertise.

Preventive Education and Publicity

Over the past few years, efforts had been made to step up the anti-drug campaign. The ND continued to use the theme 'Stand Firm! Knock Drugs Out!' in the 2011 territory-wide publicity campaign to disseminate anti-drug message to young people and strengthen their resolve to refuse drugs. The department also continued to make use of social media network, as well as mobile and on-line communication platforms to promote anti-drug messages among youths. Three sets of Announcements in the Public Interest (APIs) and posters were launched to highlight the harmful effects of cocaine, ice and ketamine, and promote community acceptance of treatment and rehabilitation facilities. Large outdoor banners, SMS messages and advertisements at public transport stations, in karaoke clubs, upstairs bars and on the internet had also been used to disseminate anti-drug messages to the youths.

To rally community support for the anti-drug cause and in support of the annual International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, a large-scale anti-drug event was held at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium on June 25.

Schools play an important role in preventing drug abuse among young people. In this regard, the ND continued to support the EDB in promoting the institutionalisation of a school-based 'Healthy School Policy' with an anti-drug element. Support for schools continued to be strengthened with structured professional training for school personnel to equip them with drug knowledge and