A TEAM of teachers and specialised social workers will hit the streets of Hong Kong Island this year, to wean teenagers off drugs and send them back to school.
Social Welfare Department assistant director Carlos Leung Sze-hung announced the strategy yesterday, along with plans for a new day centre where young abusers will be able to seek help.
He said the department would form a second team under its Against Substance Abuse scheme in October to reinforce its existing six-member team based in Kwun Tong.
'The first team was formed last October in line with the summit meeting in March convened by the Governor. Now we see the need to expand this and establish a second team,' Mr Leung said.
The current team focuses on Kwun Tong, Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan.
But team member and social worker Tan Tick-yee said the first team was hampered by limitations which would not affect the second squad.
'Since all of the six members are social workers, we need teachers in the new team to provide remedial classes for young drug abusers.