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A pilot collaboration scheme engaging different stakeholders and providing early intervention for young drug abusers, supported by the Beat Drugs Fund, will be launched in June this year.
Principal Assistant Secretary for Security, Mr David Wong, said today (April 22) that the scheme adopted a new approach in treating and rehabilitating young drug abusers. Valuable experience could be accumulated for the possible launching of a more elaborate collaboration programme in the future.
¡°The aim of the scheme is to alert abusers to any signs of health deterioration arising from drug use so as to ignite their motivation and determination to seek early treatment. It also enhances co-operation on drug treatment between medical practitioners and non-governmental organisations (NGOs),¡± Mr Wong said.
The Tung Wah Group of Hospitals CROSS Centre is the co-ordinating agency of the scheme, named ¡°Project MAC¡± ¡ª Motivation, Action and Check up. Mr Wong thanked the CROSS Centre and the medical practitioners for their participation in the scheme. The scheme, he said, showed the determination and joint efforts of different sectors of the community to combat the youth drug abuse problem.
The Chairman of the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) Sub-committee on Treatment and Rehabilitation, Dr Ben Cheung Kin-leung, said the scheme would help young psychotropic substance abusers gain access to appropriate treatment at an early stage.
¡°The scheme will encourage self-reflection by young psychotropic substance abusers and give them a boost,¡± Dr Cheung said.
Starting from June 2008, the CROSS Centre will accept referrals from NGOs. Under the scheme, psychotropic substance abusers aged between 10 and 24 will receive body check service, for example, urine and blood tests, tests on eye-hand co-ordination and bone-mineral density at designated service centres or clinics.
Training on drug knowledge and techniques to counsel young drug abusers will be provided to participating medical practitioners and social workers. Medical practitioners will then conduct motivational interviews with the abusers to draw their attention to the damage of drugs on their health and encourage them to seek early treatment. The same medical practitioners will meet them again later to strengthen their determination to kick the habit.
Alternative life experience activities, including visits to anti-drug organisations, sharing by ex-abusers, skills training and interest classes, will be arranged for the abusers enrolled in this project. The abusers can widen their horizons and establish healthy lifestyles through these activities.
It is expected that the scheme, which will last for two years, will benefit 300 to 400 young drug abusers.
Ends/Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:36
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