The officers were speaking at the closing ceremony of an anti-drug publicity function organised by the Youth Outreach & Drug Awareness Committee of Lions Clubs International District 303 Hong Kong & Macao.

SSP Cheung pointed out that the Force places a lot of emphasis on education and publicity, besides taking proactive enforcement action against drug offences. Thus the Force has been taking measures to prevent and tackle drug abuse through inter-departmental co-operation.

"The police now fully utilise the School Liaison Officer Scheme to strengthen communication with schools and students. On the one hand school principals and teachers are updated on, and made more aware of, the latest drugs trend. On the other hand students are provided with information on the pernicious effects of drug abuse and taught the skills of refusing offers of drugs and their social responsibility of reporting drug offences," he said.

SSP Cheung also introduced the 30-year-old Junior Police Call (JPC) Scheme, which, he said, had effectively prevented juvenile delinquency by organising various activities for the youth to know more about police work and help police fight crime. The JPC Scheme had also instilled among the youth a proper perception of values and made them see the harm, and resist the temptation of drugs.

In his introduction of enforcement action against drug offences, SP Cheung said that apart from tackling the problem at source, the Force also placed emphasis on international co-operation.

"Over the years the Narcotics Bureau has maintained close co-operation and liaison with law enforcement agencies on the Mainland and overseas, exchanged intelligence on drugs, mounted joint operations, and seized large quantities of illicit drugs outside Hong Kong.

"Right now we're trying to stamp out supplies of drugs mainly through inter-departmental co-operation and co-operation with Mainland and overseas anti-drug agencies, and tackle drug trafficking by fully utilising the legislation on confiscation of the proceeds from this illicit activity," he noted.

At the publicity function, NB put up an exhibition and games stalls to disseminate anti-drug messages to visitors, while 25 JPC members, led by Kwun Tong JPC Leader /Instructor Law Chi-ying, reinforced the messages with a demonstration of Taekwondo.

NB's exhibition is a hit with many youngsters