In a bid to help schools identify "hidden drug abusers" among young people, the Police Community Relations Office of Sau Mau Ping District (SMPDIST) collaborated with the Evergreen Lutheran Centre in holding a seminar on "Learn the Truth About Drug Abuse" on May 8.  

 

Supported by the Kwun Tong School Liaison Committee and the Federation of Parent-Teacher Associations of Kwun Tong, the seminar attracted more than 100 primary and secondary school principals, teachers, school social workers and parents.   

 

Welcoming the audience and guests, SMPDIST Commander Andrew Lovatt said the statistics released by the Narcotics Division in 2009 showed a rising trend of young people abusing drugs. But thanks to the efforts of the Government, Police, non-government organisations and schools, much had been done to improve the situation through publicity, education and law enforcement. As a result, the statistics recorded a notable decrease. 

 

However, Mr Lovatt continued, a report released by the Narcotics Division identified changes to the places where young people abuse drugs, with some becoming "hidden drug abusers". To help teachers and parents address this problem, social workers from the Evergreen Lutheran Centre were invited to conduct group discussions and case studies at the seminar.

 

On hand to support the seminar were a member of the Kwun Tong District Fight Crime Committee, Mr Lo Yan-lai, President of the Sau Mau Ping District JPC Honorary President Council, Mr Wong Fan-foung, Chairman of the Kwun Tong Schools Liaison Committee, Dr Lam Kin-wah, and Chairman of the Federation of Parent-Teacher Associations of Kwun Tong, Mr Kai Ping-chung.