Coming from various Districts, Divisions and Units, the officers, including over 20 from Narcotics Bureau (NB), are offering their community service as members of the Narcotics Division's Anti-drug Volunteer Group. Among them, Sergeant Leung Tai-yiu from Central Division serves on the Anti-drug Volunteer Group Co-ordinating Committee as Vice-chairman.

SGT Leung, together with Mr Andy Lam Siu-wing, Chairman of the Co-ordinating Committee, and Woman Police Constable Mak Yuen-yee from NB, has talked to OffBeat about the work of the volunteer group.

Devotion to volunteer work

Mr Lam said there were 332 volunteers coming from all walks of life, including retirees, students, school principals, nurses and civil servants, etc. Among them, the oldest one is over 80 while the youngest is a 13-year-old pupil.

"We also have members who are off the hook on drugs. They have told their own bitter experiences to warn people of the evils of drug abuse, and the audiences have found their stories very convincing!" he added.

What has prompted SGT Leung and WPC Mak to give up their spare time to help hammer home the evils of drug abuse through education, promotional programmes and publicity activities? For SGT Leung, it is his conviction that drug abuse could totally ruin one's life. He still has a vivid memory of how drug abuse had dramatically transformed the appearance of a man in his early 20's.

"A couple of years ago, I and my colleagues stopped and questioned a man when he was acting suspiciously on the street. He was very skinny; he kept his head down and spoke in a very low voice. His teeth were blackened and eroded, and his upper teeth have all gone. I later learned that these were the terrible results of abusing cough medicine since the age of 16. That was why he dared not have eye contact with me," SGT Leung recalled.

WPC Mak said she joined the volunteer group without any hesitation because she believes education and publicity are essential tools. She is using what she has learned from NB to deliver anti-drug messages to the public, especially youngsters. "My experience about drug abuse has been quite helpful to my work with the volunteer group." She noted.

WPC Mak pointed out that the volunteers' job is much more than distribution of publicity leaflet; they have to overcome apathy towards drugs. "Many youngsters tried to avoid the volunteers; and some older ones even warded off our leaflets. To them drug seems to be a taboo. We've to get our messages to these people. If people are not aware of the harm of drugs, how can they resist the temptation of drugs, let alone helping drug addicts? Therefore, preventive education is very important," she said.

SGT Leung said he was appointed Vice-chairman of the Anti-drug Volunteer Group Co-ordinating Committee in October 2002. During the last two years, he benefited a lot through planning programmes and activities. For example, he is now more capable of utilising resources effectively and maintaining esprit de corps. He is also more knowledgeable about drug abuse as a result of the training provided by professionals, such as doctors and nurses. "On the whole, I have gained more than I have given !" he concluded.

More volunteers needed

Mr Lam welcomes Force members to join the Anti-drug Volunteer Group. "The work is very meaningful. I believe prevention is better than cure. If we can successfully get the message across that drugs can ruin one's life, half of our battle is won, and this, in turn, will help the work of our law enforcement agencies," he noted.

If you are interested in joining the volunteer group, please browse its website www.antidrugvolunteer.org for more information.

SGT Leung assists students in the HK Jockey Club Drug InfoCentre