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The Tuen Mun District Office and the Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA)'s Tuen Mun Integrated Social Service Centre, today (October 10) launched a community programme against youth drug abuse to help youngsters in the district develop their potential and stay away from drugs through a variety of activities.
The District Officer (Tuen Mun), Mr Eddie Cheung, officiated at the ceremony and led 100 young participants to make a pledge to show their determination to resist drugs.
After the ceremony, the participants went on a two-day camp to take part in a series of adventure training and team-building activities.
Performances including singing, dancing, wushu and magic were presented by various district associations at the ceremony to show the wide-ranging talents of the youngsters.
At the ceremony, the Chairman of the New Territories West Cluster's Anti-drug abuse committee, Dr Jeffrey Lai, who was recruited as an ambassador of the event, shared his experience in handling and counselling drug abusers. Two other ambassadors, film director Lee Lik-chee and athlete Hung Chung-yam gave words of encouragement to the participants through a video.
The 14-month-long community programme targets those who are 21 and under and are at risk in the district. Through an array of activities including skills and arts training, life planning, volunteering, mentorship and reward programmes, it is hoped that youngsters can benefit from gaining exposure, establishing a positive self image and building positive values.
Mr Cheung said, "The programme aims to help the youngsters learn the importance and practical ways of life planning. We hope that after completing the programme, the participants will continue to devote to volunteering work, care about the community and share positive values of life and anti-drug messages among their peers."
The community programme is widely supported by schools, medical institutions, social service organisations and individuals of the community. So far, more than 10 organisations have joined the programme as supporting partners.
One hundred youngsters were recruited in the first phase of the programme. Recruitment for the second phase will start in December.
Other officiating guests at the opening ceremony were the Vice Chairman of Tuen Mun District Council, Mr Leung Kin-man; Chairman of Tuen Mun District Fight Crime Committee, Mr Chow Kam-cheung; representative from Ching Chung Koon, Assistant District Social Welfare Officer (Tuen Mun), Mr Cheung Tat-ming; Police Community Relations Officer, Tuen Mun Police District, Mr Lam Tsz-fai; and Supervisor of Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association, Tuen Mun District, Mr Poon Wing-sing.
Ends/Saturday, October 10, 2009
Issued at HKT 13:51
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