Report of the Evaluation Research on Healthy School Programme with a Drug Testing Component released
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The Beat Drugs Fund Association commissioned a professional research organisation to conduct independent evaluation research on the Programme in the 2015/16 school year, with an aim to assess the effectiveness of the Programme and make recommendations on how to further promote and improve the Programme. The evaluation research was conducted from September 2015 to August 2016. Principals, teachers, students and parents from more than 100 secondary schools were invited to participate in it, with the total number of respondents reaching over 35,000.
The research findings showed that among the schools participating in the Programme, more than 90 per cent of principals and teachers considered that the Programme could help students develop positive values, enhance their understanding of the harmful effects of drugs and foster a drug-free school culture. About 80 per cent of schools and partnering non-governmental organisations (NGOs) thought that the implementation of the Programme was smooth. As for students, more than 60 per cent considered that the drug testing component and preventive anti-drug activities under the Programme could help reinforce their resolve to stay away from drugs. More than 70 per cent of students who completed drug testing in the 2015/16 school year believed that their personal information was well protected and were satisfied with the operation of the drug testing. Over 80 per cent of parents expressed their support for the schools' implementation of the Programme.
The research findings also showed that principals and teachers of the non-participating schools generally agreed on the positive impacts of the Programme. Over 60 per cent of teachers, 60 per cent of students and 80 per cent of parents indicated support for the schools' implementation of the Programme.
"The Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) has examined and accepted the findings of the evaluation research. Members were glad to learn that the Report affirmed the effectiveness of the Programme in helping students develop positive values, reinforcing their resolve to refuse drugs and fostering a drug-free school culture. Members also welcomed that most of the stakeholders expressed support for the schools' implementation of the Programme," a spokesman for the ND said.
"In view of the positive findings of the Report of the Evaluation Research and the support of ACAN, the ND will continue to encourage more secondary schools to participate in the Programme so as to consolidate the impacts attained and benefit more students," he added.
Meanwhile, a number of recommendations for improving the Programme have been proposed in the Report. The ND, having consulted ACAN, will implement the corresponding improvement measures in the 2017/18 school year, including strengthening resource and administrative support for the participating schools and NGOs, and enhancing the operational flexibility of the Programme.
The ND has since the 2011/12 school year encouraged secondary schools throughout the territory to implement the Programme as funded by the Beat Drugs Fund. The Programme comprises two major components, namely diversified preventive anti-drug activities and voluntary school drug testing, aiming to help students establish healthy lifestyles and positive attitudes, reinforce their resolve to stay away from drugs and foster a drug-free school culture.
The executive summary and the full text of the Report of the Evaluation Research are available on the website of the ND (www.nd.gov.hk).
Ends/Friday, January 13, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:36
Issued at HKT 18:36
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