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More than 200 social workers, youth workers, peer counsellors, teachers and school principals today (June 20) attended the "Seminar on Youth Drug Abuse Problem" organised by the Narcotics Division of the Security Bureau at the Hong Kong Central Library.
A Narcotics Division spokesman said that the objective of the seminar was to give drug abuse information and skills on early identification to those who helped youth with drug abuse problems or who were in constant contact with young people. The seminar was also to disseminate the latest research findings and share practical youth counselling experience.
The seminar was in three parts. Participants were briefed by Consultant Psychiatrist of Castle Peak Hospital Tuen Mun Substance Abuse Clinic, Dr Leung Shung-pun, on the harmful effects of different kinds of drugs and the usual symptoms associated with the abuse of different drugs. Dr Leung has been treating patients with psychiatric and behavioural problems caused by drug abuse for many years and is an expert in this area.
"Social workers and educationists should be armed with the latest knowledge so that early intervention efforts can be brought in to help the drug abusers," the spokesman said.
Participants were then briefed on the findings of a study on the relationship between folate deficiency and cough mixture abuse and the harmful effects of cough mixture abuse. The research study, led by Dr Au Wing-yan of Queen Mary Hospital with the sponsorship of Beat Drugs Fund, was the first of its kind in Hong Kong. Dr Au told participants there was a definite association between cough mixture abuse and folate deficiency. Folate deficiency will in turn cause severe damage to one's brain and nervous system and even lead to severe permanent disabilities. Pregnant mothers who indulged in cough mixture abuse would cause severe brain damage to the foetus.
Professor Daniel Shek, Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, led a discussion forum that featured a deliberation and sharing session among a social worker, a teacher and a parent. They shared their experiences and skills in persuading young drug abusers to seek counselling or treatment services.
"The seminar echoes the theme of this year's International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (June 26) - 'Children and Drugs'. With the growing complexity of the drug abuse problem, anti-drug workers, educationalists and parents need to be updated with the latest skills in order to deal with the youth drug abuse problem effectively. These stakeholders are the 'guardians' of children and as such, they are enlisted to educate the young and protect them from the menace of drugs," the spokesman said.
Ends/Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Issued at HKT 12:31
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