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The Fourth Three-year Plan on Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Services in Hong Kong which maps out strategic directions for government departments and non-government organisations (NGOs) to follow in delivering drug treatment and rehabilitation services from 2006 to 2008, has been released by the Narcotics Division of the Security Bureau.
The first three three-year plans were promulgated in 1997, 2000 and 2003 respectively to guide the service sector on ways to adjust and strengthen their programmes. The Narcotics Division drew up these plans in consultation with related government departments and NGOs.
The Commissioner for Narcotics, Mrs Rosanna Ure, said today (March 22) that the fourth three-year plan examined the adequacy of existing services to see if they were aligned with the characteristics and needs of drug dependent persons, having regard to the latest trends of drug abuse.
"The plan also identifies areas which need improvement and maps out the strategies and future direction anti-drug workers should make reference to while delivering their services within the three year period from 2006 to 2008," she said.
The plan consists of a number of major recommendations and key initiatives covering various areas of treatment and rehabilitation services, such as early and effective intervention for abusers, reintegration and relapse prevention for ex-abusers, co-operation among anti-drug professionals, and structured professional training for anti-drug workers.
"From the Central Registry of Drug Abuse, we observe that there is a rising prevalence in psychotropic substance abuse among the younger generation. To identify and engage abusers, particularly young, experimental and non-dependent regular users and tainted young working adults, service programmes should be designed to reach out and motivate them to come forward for assessment and treatment as early as possible," Mrs Ure said.
"As these experimental and occasional drug abusers would not take the initiative to seek help, there is a need to involve their family members, teachers and school social workers so that assistance can be offered. The plan recommends that programmes should be designed to enhance the drug knowledge and communication skills of these anti-drug partners."
Mrs Ure said the plan encouraged co-operation between NGOs and community primary healthcare providers to provide support services at various stages of treatment, rehabilitation and relapse prevention.
"The plan therefore recommends initiatives and co-operative models to be worked out between the service and the healthcare sector," she said.
Recognising the importance of keeping ex-drug addicts away from drugs, the plan encourages more co-operation between the commercial sector and NGOs to provide vocational training, job placement and/or volunteer work. Suitable aftercare services and supporting services for their families are considered essential.
"As for training for anti-drug workers, the Narcotics Division has commissioned the School of Continuing Education of the Hong Kong Baptist University to run a six-month part-time Certificate Course in Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation. The plan encourages NGOs to consider giving due recognition to the certificate holders in terms of future training and progression opportunities," Mrs Ure said.
"Also, we hope that specific anti-drug subjects could be included or strengthened in the curriculum for medical and social work students in their university training."
The full text of the Fourth Three-year Plan on Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Services in Hong Kong (2006-2008) can be browsed at the Narcotics Division website (www.nd.gov.hk/treatment.htm).
Ends/Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Issued at HKT 11:04
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