Tai Po District Commander Charles Mitchell explained: "We are trying to spread the anti-drug messages together with more general 'civic awareness' messages in a structured way to the most vulnerable group - school children. If we can get the messages across early in life, we have a chance to limit their involvement in crime later."

The initiative, called the "Generation - Y programme", is the brainchild of Woman Senior Inspector May Won who has been tasked to head the programme under the auspice of the Police Community Relations Office. She consulted many school headmasters and discipline masters and together they drew up a programme of events. May said: "The aim of 'GEN-Y' is to enhance the impact of crime prevention efforts through direct contact with students through a range of activities. We will start with Primary 4 and 5 pupils, but concentrate on Secondary 1, 2 and 3 students. The activities provide new avenues to enhance communication with both schools and students. Last, but not least, it also aims to boost students' personal development, civic awareness and willingness to serve the community. The programme includes a series of inter-school competitions and booth displays during lunchtime."

Mr Mitchell added that both the Tai Po and North District Fight Crime Committees had approved funding for the programme and are enthusiastic about Tai Po District's initiative.

To kick-off the initiative, officers of Tai Po District met principals and discipline masters from Sheung Shui and Tai Po at luncheon briefings on February 19 and 26.

Mr Kwok Wing-keung, principal of the Carmel Holy Word Secondary School and one of the advisors to the initial concept, said: "This initiative will further enhance the rapport that we have with the police. The strong anti-drug messages will be backed up with a lot of direct contact in schools with officers and I am sure this will be of benefit to all school students in Tai Po."

Tai Po District Commander Charles Mitchell kicks off the "Generation - Y programme."