The Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau is committed to promoting a drug-free Hong Kong. People of different faiths and ethnic backgrounds are welcome to join the fight against drugs.
During a visit to the Kowloon Masjid and Islamic Centre today (August 22), the Commissioner for Narcotics, Mr Kesson Lee, and member of the Action Committee Against Narcotics Dr Rizwan Ullah, exchanged views on anti-drug education and promotion with the Chief Imam of Hong Kong, Mufti Muhammad Arshad. Mr Lee briefed the Chief Imam on the drug situation in Hong Kong and the anti-drug work of the Government, such as initiatives to enhance community awareness of drug abuse, drug harm (especially that of cannabis) and drug trafficking, as well as encouraging drug abusers to seek early help. To further disseminate anti-drug messages to members of the Muslim community, posters in different languages about the harm of different types of drugs were distributed and put up in the Centre.
Mr Lee expressed gratitude to Dr Ullah and the Chief Imam for their unwavering support of various anti-drug efforts. Mr Lee said, "The Government will continue to spare no effort to battle drugs. Taking into account the specific cultural characteristics including language, customs and religion of people from different backgrounds, we will arrange suitable preventive education and publicity for ethnic minorities with a view to raising their knowledge of drug harm, the gravity of drug offences, and availability of drug treatment and rehabilitation services in Hong Kong." He added, "The Government looks forward to working with the Kowloon Masjid and Islamic Centre in spreading anti-drug messages to its worshippers and beyond. The support expressed by the Chief Imam today is encouraging and his advice is valuable."
Dr Ullah said, "The community as a whole needs to work hand in hand in order to win the fight against drugs. I appreciate the Government's efforts to foster collaboration among different sectors and ethnicities, and will continue to help unite different stakeholders in society to support the anti-drug cause."
Selected publicity materials produced by the ND are available in six languages commonly used by ethnic minorities in Hong Kong on its website (www.nd.gov.hk/en/ethnic_minority.html) and interested parties may obtain them to display for free.
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