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More than 200 Anti-drug Ambassadors were appointed today (August 15) to disseminate anti-drug messages in the neighbourhood at the Anti-drug Ambassador Appointment and Training Day in Tuen Mun.
Aimed at pulling together all walks of life to fight the drug abuse problem, the event is part of a series of anti-drug programmes under the "Say 'NO' to Drugs - Tuen Mun District Youth Anti-drug Campaign" organised by the Tuen Mun District Youth Anti-drug Campaign Committee.
The committee was formed by the Tuen Mun District Social Welfare Office of the Social Welfare Department, the Tuen Mun Police District of the Hong Kong Police Force, the Tuen Mun District Fight Crime Committee, the Lingnan University, Wofoo Social Enterprises as well as six youth service units.
Officiating at today's ceremony, the District Social Welfare Officer (Tuen Mun), Ms Leung Kwai-ling, said, "The campaign, involving 11 different agencies and units, has shown the dedication and joint effort of the community to combat youth drug problems."
"The use of human-touch and self-modelling approach by the Anti-drug Ambassadors can put direct and positive impact on youth in schools and the community at large, laying a solid foundation for a drug-free community."
Tuen Mun District Officer Mr Eddie Cheung, one of the officiating guests of the event, called on all sectors of the community to help young people make a wise choice by showing care and support to them.
"I believe we will achieve a better result as this soft approach reflects our trust in and respect for the youngsters and that we are not trying to preach," he said.
The Ambassadors, formed by youths, parents and the elderly, will be trained by social workers and nurses before paying concern visits to seven housing estates and reaching out to about 2,000 households in September in the district to disseminate anti-drug messages.
In October, a seminar will be organised for teachers and parents to enhance their understanding of the drug problem and related services as well as the ways to identify youth at risk.
The committee will also invite the Youth Ambassadors to participate in the Healthy School Promotion Scheme, in which they will be tasked and subsidised to design and carry out projects to promote anti-drug messages in their own schools between October this year and January next year. Their achievements will be showcased in a sharing session at the end.
Other officiating guests at today's ceremony were Tuen Mun District Commander of the Hong Kong Police Force, Mr Choy Kin-cheung, and the Convenor of the Youth Care Working Group of the Tuen Mun District Fight Crime Committee, Ms Anka Ma Lai-wah.
Ends/Saturday, August 15, 2009
Issued at HKT 12:42
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