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To effectively publicise among the youth the harms of cannabis, the Narcotics Bureau (NB) launched a series of anti-cannabis education and publicity activities in April about the serious consequences of abusing cannabis and drug trafficking.
Diverse promotion channels
NB implemented the anti-drug mascot Mighty Cat, employed the theme “Don't ever try cannabis” and rented more than 160 buses to travel across the territory to remind the public that cannabidiol (CBD) has been scheduled as a dangerous drug under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Chapter 134) since February 1. Furthermore, NB designed two anti-cannabis posters and distributed them to all secondary schools. The public were reminded through Offbeat OnAir and OffBeat 120 Seconds that cannabis was a dangerous drug and they should not contravene the law. NB also held a press conference on April 25 to announce the territory-wide enforcement results against cannabis during the month of April.
New series of anti-drugs animation
To raise the public awareness of cannabis and related products, NB recently released a new series of animations to remind youth not to purchase, possess or traffic any cannabis or cannabis products to avoid such illegal acts. The two-episode Mai Chai’s Diary reveals the harms of cannabis in a lighthearted manner and explains how to identify cannabis products. The animation has been uploaded to the Force’s social media platform and will be shown on the platforms of the Education Bureau, local and international schools, parent-teacher associations, non-governmental organisations and other community stakeholders.
IDK Interactive Anti-Drugs Drama
NB cooperated with a professional drama team to produce the innovative IDK Interactive Anti-Drugs Drama, which adopts an interesting way to teach young people, especially senior primary students, how to resist the temptation of drugs. The interactive drama is based on the real life story of Mr Cheng Ming-fai, a registered social worker of The Society for the Aid and Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers. It utilises the theme of Monopoly Game to simulate the consequences of life challenges and choices faced by teenagers. The premiere of IDK Interactive Anti-Drugs Drama was held on April 21. About 130 principals, teachers, parents and students from 29 primary schools attended. The audience praised that the concept of the drama was innovative, and that students could gain inspiration from it and reject drugs firmly. The drama will be performed in 30 primary schools throughout Hong Kong between April and July to reach over 4 500 students.
Anti-drugs seminar at tertiary institutions
NB officers delivered anti-drugs messages to over 150 students from the Department of Social Work at Hong Kong Baptist University and the Youth College (International) on April 13 and April 28 respectively. During the seminars, officers debunked common myths about cannabis, shared the latest sentencing guidelines for cannabis-related offences, and expounded on the reasons against legalising cannabis.
Conclusion
NB will keep conducting anti-drug education and publicity, fostering collaborations with other departments and enhancing connections with community partners to focus on promoting anti-drug messages among high-risk groups and the youth so that they will understand the serious consequences of drug abuse and drug trafficking.
