The Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau today (March 7) promulgated the Three-year Plan on Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Services in Hong Kong for 2024-2026 (the Plan), and released it to the anti-drug sector at the Drug Liaison Committee meeting this afternoon. The Plan sets out the strategic directions for the drug treatment and rehabilitation (T&R) services between 2024 and 2026.
A Working Group was set up in March 2023 to support the preparation of the Plan. The working group was led by the Chairman of the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) Sub-committee on Treatment and Rehabilitation, Professor Dennis Wong, and comprised members from social welfare service units, drug treatment and rehabilitation agencies, medical professionals, academics, the Hospital Authority, and relevant government bureaux and departments.
Professor Wong said, "This is the 10th Three-year Plan published since the first one was published in 1997. The preparation of the Plan has been a valuable process of collaboration and co-creation among the Government, anti-drug service units and other stakeholders in the anti-drug sector. The strategic directions identified in the Plan serve as a reference for service units to develop plans and programmes that could effectively respond to the latest drug situation and needs of drug abusers and rehabilitees of the time."
The ACAN Chairman, Dr Donald Li, said, "With the concerted efforts of the Government and the anti-drug sector, the number of reported drug abusers has declined since the promulgation of the first Three-year Plan. Thanks to the work of the working group and the Narcotics Division, as well as input from the stakeholders, the Plan provides a comprehensive evaluation of the existing treatment and rehabilitation programmes and the challenges ahead. It culminated in strategic directions with reference value to guide the work of service providers in the coming three years."
The Plan sets out a host of 44 strategic directions and they are grouped under seven aspects, namely (a) to foster cross-disciplinary and cross-sectoral collaborations; (b) to provide targeted treatment for abusers of psychotropic substances, especially for cocaine, methamphetamine and cannabis; (c) to respond promptly to changing drug scene and social environment; (d) to encourage drug abusers in seeking help and treatment; (e) to provide support for drug abusers from specific population groups that responds to their needs; (f) to provide aftercare support and services; and (g) other areas of anti-drug work. The full text of the Plan is available on the ND website (www.nd.gov.hk/en/index.htm).
T&R is an essential component of the multipronged anti-drug strategy, which also includes preventive education and publicity, legislation and law enforcement, external co-operation, and research.
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