hong kong teenagers to face drug testing, page-2

THe following article is a continuation to the posting by Sputnick.

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=74352&sid=21454552&con_type=1

Security chief confronts drug-test fears

Friday, November 14, 2008

Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong has moved to dispel fears that proposed compulsory drug testing will lead to prosecutions.
Lee told the Sha Tin District Fight Crime Committee yesterday that the tests will help identify young drug abusers suitable for treatment and rehabilitation.

He said the number of young abusers has been increasing in recent years and abuse of psychotropic substances has become a public concern.

Apart from measures implemented since the middle of the year, the Task Force on Youth Drug Abuse has recommended ways to fight the problem holistically.

"All these are aimed at protecting youth from physical and psychological harm resulting from drug abuse," Lee said.

On the recommendation for new legislation to empower law enforcement agencies to require a person reasonably suspected of being on dangerous drugs to take a test, Lee said the authorities would work out a detailed proposal for public consultation.

The task force has also suggested commissioning a research project to devise possible school-based drug-testing schemes for voluntary adoption by schools, and a two-year pilot project on an enhanced probation service to break the vicious circle of drug abuse and crime.

Another recommendation would see the administration step up cooperation with the mainland authorities.

This would see Hong Kong obtaining information on youngsters caught abusing drugs and administratively detained in the mainland.

An anti-drug publicity campaign - No Drugs, No Regrets. Not Now, Not Ever - was launched in June to tie in with the work of the task force, which aims to foster a caring culture among youngsters.

STAFF REPORTER