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The Internet has become indispensable to the life of young people. One of the recommendations of the Task Force on Youth Drug Abuse is to exploit the Internet to disseminate anti-drug messages among the youth. The Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) and the Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau launched a design competition named "Anti-drug Heroes" today (June 26). The competition provides an opportunity for youths to give full play to their creativity on the Internet by designing their dream anti-drug heroes.
The Commissioner for Narcotics, Ms Sally Wong, said, "The 'Anti-drug Heroes' design competition is one of the core projects of the 'No Drugs No Nightmares' Campaign Against Youth Drug Abuse this year. We hope that riding on the so-called 'Web 2.0' trend, we can reach out to youths who frequent discussion fora, blogs and popular social networks, etc. We have invited Yahoo! Hong Kong, a popular youth portal, to organise this competition. We hope to disseminate correct messages and information about drugs through online activities."
"To enhance the interaction of online and offline activities, we have also invited the Hongkong Federation of Youth Groups to provide assistance. They will organise offline activities such as sharing sessions, large-scale gatherings as well as promotional activities in schools."
The design competition, which lasts for a year, comprises two categories: the school category and the open category. There will be three phases in the competition. The design theme of each phase is "Anti-drug heroes", "Apparel of the Anti-drug heroes" and "Weapons to combat drugs of the Anti-drug heroes". Besides submitting the artwork, participants also have to describe the ideas behind their designs in words. They can upload their design onto the competition website or use the art tools on the website to design their work.
Submitted works will be assessed by a judging panel made up of representatives from the organisers. Net surfers can also vote for their favourite design.
Sharing sessions will be held in each phase by the organiser. In the sharing sessions, renowned designers will be invited to share their experiences with the participants. To inspire participants' creativity, doctors, social workers or ex-abusers will be invited to the sessions to share their knowledge about the harm of drug abuse.
Participants can choose to take part in any phase of the competition. Participants getting the top vote of each phase will win a laptop computer, art tools coupons and sports equipment coupons, etc.
A designer will incorporate designs with the top votes into a mural containing anti-drug messages. About 120 youngsters will paint the mural, which is scheduled to be completed in April next year. The mural will be displayed in a public place for viewing.
Members of the public interested in the competition or who have enquiries, please visit the competition website (www.mural.com.hk).
Ends/Friday, June 26, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:58
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