Police reclassified a body found case happened in Sheung Shui on December 23 as manslaughter, preventing the lawful burial of a body and trafficking in dangerous drugs case, in which a 22-year-old man died.

     At around 8.15am on December 23, Police received a report that a man was found collapsed in an open area next to a village house at Fanling Wai in Sheung Shui. Police officers sped to the scene and found the 22-year-old man lying on the floor. Sustaining abrasions on his head and feet, he was certified dead at scene. The case was classified as body found case.

     Police investigation revealed that on the night of December 22, the deceased had visited a village house on Fanling Wai, where someone allegedly injected him with suspected drugs. The deceased subsequently fell into a coma, and five men in the unit are suspected of carrying the deceased out of the unit and moving him to the aforementioned open area. The case was reclassified as manslaughter, preventing the lawful burial of a body and trafficking in dangerous drugs case.
 
     Police arrested three men in suspected connection with the case in Sheung Shui on December 25 and 26. The 51-year-old man was arrested for manslaughter, preventing the lawful burial of a body and trafficking in dangerous drugs; the 62-year-old man was arrested for manslaughter and preventing the lawful burial of a body; while the 20-year-old man was arrested for preventing the lawful burial of a body.

     During the operation, a small quantity of suspected methamphetamine in suspected connection with the case was seized.

     All arrested men are being detained for further enquiries.

     Post-mortem examinations will be conducted later to ascertain the cause of death of the deceased.

     Investigation by the District Crime Squad of Tai Po is underway. Police do not rule out the possibility that more arrests will be made. Anyone who witnessed the case or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 3547.

     The Government launched today (December 27) the "18111 – Mental Health Support Hotline" to provide one-stop, round-the-clock support for people with mental health needs, rendering them immediate mental health support and referral services.
 
     Addressing the kick-off ceremony of the Mental Health Support Hotline today, the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said, "The Government has been taking a comprehensive approach in promoting public mental health. To tender timely support to people who are in mental distress or with mental health needs, the Government introduced the Mental Health Support Hotline which is, for the very first time, fully funded by the Government to co-ordinate existing counselling services provided by the Government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), allowing those in need to obtain assistance through calling an easy-to-recall phone number."
 
     The Mental Health Support Hotline operates all year round with dedicated personnel answering the phone 24 hours a day, providing immediate support and counselling services to members of the public from all backgrounds and of all ages. Callers will also be referred to the most appropriate organisations depending on the nature of individual cases. The Mental Health Support Hotline co-ordinates about 20 related organisations to provide comprehensive mental support services to the public.
 
     Professor Lo said, "We hope that anyone who encounters mental health needs will immediately recall this phone number 18111 and take the Mental Health Support Hotline as their first point for seeking assistance. Should any of your family members or friends have mental health needs, please encourage them to call the Mental Health Support Hotline. The carers themselves can also make use of this hotline to seek timely support. We stand ready to chat and we are all ears.
 
     "The Government has picked this easy-to-recall hotline number with special thoughts. Simply remember that the '18111 – Mental Health Support Hotline' attends to mental health needs from all '18' districts in Hong Kong and 'one' who needs help will get 'one'-stop support just by calling 'one' dedicated hotline."
 
     The hotline was one of the initiatives put forward in "The Chief Executive's 2022 Policy Address" to step up efforts in promoting mental health and bringing more happiness to citizens. From conceptualisation to implementation, the Advisory Committee on Mental Health (ACMH) has given ample suggestions to ensure that the hotline can best meet the needs of those in mental distress.
 
     The Chairman of the ACMH, Dr Lam Ching-choi, and former Chairman Mr Wong Yan-lung, SC, also officiated at the kick-off ceremony. Moreover, the two ACMH chairmen had an on-site interactive session to talk about the rationales behind the setting-up of the hotline and the work done to make it happen, as well as how the hotline will help support the public in a more effective manner.
 
     Dr Lam said, "Through this hotline, we hope to provide comprehensive services to the callers while garnering information on their mental health needs. As such, we will have more data-based evidences to deepen and optimise our services when planning future initiatives so as to come up with more responsive support measures for persons in need."
 
     Mr Wong said, "When one is in mental distress, an easy-to-recall phone number widely recognised in the community can very possibly be a way out.  There are relevant successful experiences overseas as well. I call on the community to help promote this '18111 – Mental Health Support Hotline' so that people can get access to prompt support when they are in mental need."
 
     Members of the Legislative Council and the ACMH as well as representatives from a number of NGOs and mental and emotional support service groups also showed up at the kick-off ceremony today in support of promoting mental health.
 
     Another mental health initiative introduced in "The Chief Executive's 2022 Policy Address" was the setting-up of a service centre on a trial basis to provide emotional support and counselling services for ethnic minorities. The service centre located in Jordan will start serving ethnic minorities from tomorrow (December 28). Supported by a multi-professional team comprising social workers, counsellors and support staff conversant in ethnic minority languages, the service centre provides emotional support and counselling services to ethnic minorities and refers cases to other service platforms for additional support and/or treatment if needed. Operated by the Zubin Mahtani Gidumal Foundation Limited, the service centre opens from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Friday and offers counselling services beyond these hours when necessary. Members of the public can call the centre hotline at 9682 3100 for information, or visit the website www.zubinfoundation.org/our-work/ethnic-minority-well-being-centre/ to learn more about the service centre.

        

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 is 103.9 (same as last Saturday's index).

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, December 23, 2023 was 103.9 (down 0.1 against last Friday's index).

     The Development Bureau (DEVB) today (December 27) announced the three historic buildings included under Batch VII of the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme (Revitalisation Scheme), and invited revitalisation proposals from non-profit-making organisations (NPOs) for one of them, namely Watervale House, the Former Gordon Hard Camp, in Tuen Mun. The application deadline is noon on April 10, 2024.
      
     The other two historic buildings are the Old Lunatic Asylum (Chinese Block) in Sai Ying Pun and No. 23 Coombe Road at the Peak. Relevant application arrangements will be announced in due course.
      
     A spokesman for the DEVB said, "Following a comprehensive review on the Revitalisation Scheme, the DEVB decided to announce all the historic buildings included in the latest batch of the Revitalisation Scheme and invite applications in phases. This arrangement aims to expedite the assessment process and facilitate advance planning by interested organisations."
      
     Watervale House, the Former Gordon Hard Camp, is a Grade 2 historic building. Built in 1933, it was originally a private residence. In 1959, the British War Department purchased the building and used it as an officers' mess.  
      
     Guided tours to Watervale House, the  Former Gordon Hard Camp, will be arranged for NPOs on January 12, 2024, and a workshop will be held on January 15, 2024, for them to learn about the application procedures and assessment criteria. Interested NPOs can register from now until January 8, 2024, at www.heritage.gov.hk/en/revitalisation-scheme/batch-vii-of-revitalisation-scheme/guided-tour-and-workshop/index.html.
      
     The application guide, application form and resource kit containing the historical background of the building and the conservation guidelines, as well as other related information, are available for download at www.heritage.gov.hk/en/revitalisation-scheme/batch-vii-of-revitalisation-scheme/index.html. 
      
     Other key enhancement measures implemented following the comprehensive review on the Revitalisation Scheme include allowing NPOs with charitable status under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112) to partner with non-charitable organisations to submit applications; and increasing the maximum one-off grant to meet the starting costs and operating deficits of the social enterprises for the first two years of operation from $5 million to $6 million.
      
     Enquiries can be made to the Revitalisation Scheme Secretariat by email at rhb_enquiry@devb.gov.hk or by phone on 2906 1560.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (December 27) that some part of the green lawns, passageways and viewing platforms of Tamar Park and the Central and Western District Promenade – Central Section (see attachment) will be temporarily closed in phases from January 2, January 15 and February 15, 2024, for the preparation works of a large-scale outdoor art installation exhibition to be launched in March. Members of the public can continue to enjoy other lawns in Tamar Park during the period. More details of the exhibition will be announced by the Government later.
      
     For enquiries, please contact venue staff at 2520 2321.