ENG-2019 — Page 327

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Public Order

members, namely the Commissioner for Narcotics and representatives from the Education Bureau, the police and the departments of Customs and Excise, Health, and Social Welfare. Under a reciprocal arrangement with Singapore, the Director of Singapore's Central Narcotics Bureau also sits on the committee.

Preventive Education and Publicity

'Cannabis is a drug' and 'Stand Firm! Knock Drugs Out!' were the division's main themes in anti- drug preventive education and publicity in 2019. Taking into account the latest drug trends, the division focused on publicising the harmful effects of cannabis, cocaine and methamphetamine, commonly known as Ice. The publicity activities included an annual large- scale citywide campaign to disseminate anti-drug messages to young people, parents and the community at large to raise awareness of drug problems. In view of increased cannabis abuse among youngsters and the possible adverse impact on Hong Kong arising from individual overseas jurisdictions' legalisation of recreational cannabis, the division stepped up efforts to provide correct information on the dangers of cannabis abuse, rectify misconceptions and identify cannabis products.

The division's 24-hour hotline '186 186' and instant messaging service '98 186 186', manned by professional social workers, provide convenient channels for people with drug problems to seek help early. Cases are referred to NGOs for treatment and rehabilitation as appropriate.

The division works with the Education Bureau to support schools in conducting anti-drug education programmes for students and to provide professional training for school personnel, equipping them with the drug knowledge and skills to identify and offer early help to at-risk students.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Drug InfoCentre is a focal point for promoting anti-drug education. Visitors include students, parents, youth groups, community organisations and overseas delegations. Anti-drug messages are disseminated through talks, training workshops, experience-sharing sessions and other activities for different target groups.

The Healthy School Programme with a Drug Testing Component is a school-based initiative to strengthen students' resolve in refusing drugs and to foster a drug-free campus. In the 2019-20 school year, 174 secondary schools, partnered with NGOS, were implementing the programme. Another school-based programme, 'Participate in Sports, Stay Away from Drugs, is a student-led pilot initiative that promotes healthy lifestyles and an anti-drug culture in secondary schools. through students' participation in organising sports and health activities, and by supporting student athletes taking part in sports competitions. It recorded 120 participating secondary schools in 2019-20.

Treatment and Rehabilitation

A variety of treatment and rehabilitation services is available to drug abusers with different treatment needs. The Correctional Services Department conducts a compulsory treatment programme, the Department of Health provides a voluntary outpatient methadone treatment programme, and the Hospital Authority operates substance abuse clinics at all seven hospital clusters. NGOs run voluntary residential programmes in 37 drug treatment and rehabilitation

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