Chief Executive Donald Tsang outlines the government's strategy to fight youth drug abuse during the Legislative Council's question-and-answer session yesterday. Edmond Tang

HONG KONG: Chief Executive Donald Tsang said yesterday the government will launch a series of measures to combat the problem of young drug abusers, which has grown more rapidly than the government has expected.

Tsang, referring to several recent incidents of youngsters taking drugs in the Legislative Council question and answer session yesterday, said the issue required urgent attention.

"The disaster of the drug is getting closer and closer to us, and is hurting our youngsters. We do not have many choices, but to be determined to fight this war," he said.

Tsang said the problem may continue to worsen during the summer holiday.

The government will invite experts with knowledge of drug abuse to help train teachers and volunteers to detect young abusers early. It will also invite the medical, social work, and sports sector to provide counseling and support to abusers and implement pilot drug tests in Tai Po.

The government will also seek views to strengthen rehabilitation services and cooperate with mainland authorities on law enforcement actions.

A government source said the Beat Drugs Fund will subsidize 68 new anti-drug programs at a cost of HK$23 million.

The source said the Education Bureau will hold four talks on anti-drug counseling for teachers this summer and hand out teaching kits to schools later.

The source said authorities will try to equip parents and teachers with more knowledge on drugs and counseling skills this summer.

Tsang said the support measures for drug abusers are currently inadequate, therefore the government cannot wait.

He said the controversy over Christian Zheng Sheng College reminded him that the issue should be dealt with immediately.

In response to whether or not to give subsidies to the college, the source said the government will discuss the issue with the school's management but noted that it will deal with its relocation plan first as it is more urgent.

Hong Kong Children and Youth Services social work supervisor Kent Lam said his center had treated an abuser aged only nine.

He said there are not sufficient venues for organizing activities for youngsters, making them more vulnerable to drugs, and said support measures should be increased.

Law enforcement action by mainland authorities may help deter youngsters crossing the border for drugs, but the youngsters will continue the behavior in Hong Kong if they are not given help to kick the habit, he said.

(HK Edition 07/08/2009 page1)