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The Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau today (June 29) launched the Sixth Three-year Plan on Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Services in Hong Kong. The Plan maps out the strategic directions of the drug treatment and rehabilitation services between 2012 and 2014.
The Chairman of the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) Sub-committee on Treatment and Rehabilitation (T&R Sub-committee), Dr Ben Cheung, led a working group to oversee the formulation of the Plan. The Plan makes recommendations under five key initiatives: (i) early identification and intervention, (ii) collaboration across and continuation of services by different sectors/modalities, (iii) enhancement of downstream programmes in terms of capacity and sophistication, (iv) reintegration into society and prevention of relapse, and (v) sustained service improvement.
"The anti-drug sector has been widely consulted in the process. We reached a consensus on the direction of future development of the treatment and rehabilitation services. ACAN and its T&R Sub-committee, as well as the Drug Liaison Committee, have endorsed the Plan," Dr Cheung said.
The Commissioner for Narcotics, Mrs Erika Hui, said, "In setting out the strategic directions for the drug treatment and rehabilitation services, the Plan serves to provide a basis to help the anti-drug sector formulate specific programmes in the coming three years.
"In view of the hidden nature of psychotropic substance abuse, early identification of drug abusers and timely intervention with assistance remain important elements of the anti-drug strategy. The Plan recommends promoting parents' awareness of the drug abuse problem and encourages their active participation in prevention and early identification."
Mrs Hui pointed out that the ND and the relevant departments, including the Social Welfare Department and the Department of Health, would closely monitor the use of resources as well as the utilisation and delivery of the drug treatment and rehabilitation services.
The full text of the Sixth Three-year Plan on Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Services is now available on the ND website (www.nd.gov.hk).
Ends/Friday, June 29, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:56
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