District Councillors support TWDISTs anti-drug operations
Four Tsuen Wan District Councillors, Messrs Chan Han-pan, Chiu Ka-po, Chow Ping-tim and Lo Siu-kit, have come out in support of Tsuen Wan District's (TWDIST) efforts to combat drug abuse by youths. They appreciate that besides mounting high-profile anti-drug operations, TWDIST also places emphasis on public education.
According to TWDIST Acting Commander Chan Mei-pui, high-profile anti-drug operations conducted on a regular basis, coupled with intelligence-led operations and public education, have proved effective in deterring drug abuse in the local community.
TWDIST mounted the latest high-profile operation at the town centre to send a strong message that the Police mean business. The first phase of the operation was devoted to public education when officers handed out publicity leaflets to the public, in particular young people. During the second week, Police Tactical Unit (PTU) officers patrolled drug black spots while Task Force Sub-unit officers conducted patrols in old buildings frequented by drug addicts.
TWDIST Operations Officer Gus Scott has this to say about the operation: "The operation is designed basically to ensure a high profile Police presence which affords comfort to the majority of law abiding citizens but makes any DD (dangerous drugs) use or trafficking an extremely risky proposition."
According to Chief Inspector Scott, the operation might have deterred some youngsters. He recalled: "A young Ketamine abuser from a certain estate told me after the last operation, 'I used to be an occasional user at home with my friends but after seeing PTU and plainclothes officers stopping and searching people day after day for a few days on my estate, I decided to quit because the risk was too high'."
Besides the four District Councillors, some other local leaders have also commented favourably on TWDIST's determination and efforts to combat drug abuse.
Public
education
is an essential strategy of Tsuen Wan District to tackle drug
abuse