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The following is issued on behalf of the Secretariat of the Beat Drugs Fund Association:
Organisations and individuals can, from today (January 29) until March 31, apply for grants from the Beat Drugs Fund to carry out anti-drug projects.
The fund aims to promote worthwhile anti-drug activities which can help address the problem of drug abuse, particularly among the young, and to promote community-wide efforts and programmes in the campaign against drug abuse in Hong Kong.
For the 2010-11 funding exercise, priority consideration will be given to projects which enhance community mobilisation, community support, preventive education and parental education.
New measures or approaches in tackling the problem of psychotropic substance abuse, especially in identifying and rendering assistance to "hidden youth" with a drug abuse problem, will also be the priority areas.
Precedence will also be given to projects which help curb the problem of cross-boundary drug abuse, projects supporting the Fifth Three-year Plan on Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Services in Hong Kong (2009-2011), as well as programmes providing preventive education or intervention services to specific groups such as young female drug abusers and new arrivals.
On the research front, studies on a supplementary drug monitoring system will be given priority consideration.
Grants disbursed by the fund will normally not exceed $3 million. The funding period will normally not exceed two years, except for projects that are regarded as exceptionally innovative, in which case the maximum grant can go up to $5 million and funding duration can last up to three years.
Application forms and guides to the funding exercise are available on the website of the Narcotics Division, Security Bureau (www.nd.gov.hk/en/beat.htm). They can also be collected at the Secretariat of the Beat Drugs Fund Association (30/F, High Block) and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Drug InfoCentre (Roof Floor, Low Block) at Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway; all Public Enquiry Service Centres of the Home Affairs Department; and the District Social Welfare Offices of the Social Welfare Department.
Enquiries are welcome by phone at 2867 2737 or 2867 2286; by fax at 2810 1790; or via email to sbeon4@sb.gov.hk.
The Beat Drugs Fund was set up by the Government in 1996 with a capital base of $350 million to fund worthwhile community projects in the fight against drugs.
So far, 464 projects have been supported by the Beat Drugs Fund involving some $219 million. Of the funds approved, about $49.54 million has been granted for 78 treatment and rehabilitation projects, $130.46 million for 332 preventive education and publicity projects, $13.69 million for 17 research projects, and $25.63 million for 37 mixed-type projects.
Ends/Friday, January 29, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:15
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