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The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, visited Wong Tai Sin today (August 27) to learn more about the community programme against youth drug abuse, "Fresh Express", and elderly services in the district.
Accompanied by the District Officer (Wong Tai Sin) Mrs Teresa Wong and Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital Chief Executive Dr Wong Tak-cheung, Mr Tsang visited the "Fresh Express" Clinic for Youth at the hospital.
The hospital voluntarily provided body checks and professional advice for youngsters participating in an anti-drug pilot scheme in Tsz Wan Shan in 2008-09. Organised by the Wong Tai Sin District Fight Crime Committee and the Hong Kong Playground Association, the scheme aimed to help young people learn more about the harmful effects of drug abuse and resist drugs with strong determination.
"In view of the satisfactory results of the pilot scheme, I hope that this year's programme will, again, yield fruitful results and help create a drug-free environment for the youngsters by bringing together efforts of schools, voluntary agencies, medical sector, District Councillors, community dignities as well as parents," Mr Tsang said.
To tie in with the "Fresh Express" programme, medical staff from the Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital will continue to join with social workers to provide body checks and counselling services for youngsters.
The programme will further promote anti-drug messages through training courses, regular gatherings and other supporting activities. After training, "Fresh Express" ambassadors will design school-based or district-based anti-drug educational activities.
During the visit, Mr Tsang also toured the Kowloon City Baptist Church Neighbourhood Elderly Centre to learn how its services could help cocooned elderly reunite with the community. He also distributed cleaning packs to centre users and encouraged them to support the Clean Hong Kong Campaign and pay attention to personal hygiene.
The elderly centre had earlier given strong support for the Clean Hong Kong Day by mobilising more than 100 volunteers to support district cleaning activities.
Mr Tsang also inspected the progress of the construction of Wong Tai Sin Square this afternoon. Located on the former site of the Creative Arts Playground, the square will not only provide an ideal sitting-out area for residents but also a place for flag-raising and performance activities upon its completion next month (September).
Ends/Thursday, August 27, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:27
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