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Michelle Chan

Chan Bik-fung  first tried marijuana and got high on cough medicine when he was in Primary Five. By the age of 14, he was hooked on heroin.

Now, he's got a stable job,  which he treasures, and says he has once again found  meaning in his life.

Chan's drug addiction led to him  dropping out of school  in Form Two.

With no qualifications, he could not find a steady job, and worked at construction sites and as  an air-conditioner repairman.

He peddled drugs to make money to support his heroin addiction.

'I was worried  that I would be arrested for drug possession,' said Chan.  'But I had no choice as I needed the money to buy drugs.'

He was held by the police several times but was not charged.

It was seeing his mother's growing sense of disappointment in him that finally motivated him to seek help and  join a drug rehabilitation programme.

Influenced by his peers, Chan became a Christian and enrolled in a mechanics training course at the Fullness Auto Service Centre.

During the four-year programme,  Chan also attended classes on car repair at the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education.

'I really like my job here. The work is not too tough, and it is something I really enjoy,' he said.

'Most [car repairmen]   gamble, smoke or drink. But it's entirely different here. We read the Bible and share our experiences with each other.'

Chan is no longer reckless; he is calm and willing to plan for the future.

The Fullness Christian Vocational Training Centre offers three programmes. After graduation, students can continue to work in a hair salon, a car service station or at an air-conditioner repair centre run by Fullness or find other jobs.

The interns, aged 15 to 24,  are mostly former offenders, drug addicts or  young people who were involved in violence.

Every year, about 20 to 30 youngsters seek help from the centre.

'Not every  intern will complete their training before they leave [our centre],' said the centre's executive officer, Patrick Lee.

'Some of them get  a better job offer, while others find  the workplace is too far from home.

'We  give them a certificate  if they prove themselves to be  mature, confident and have a good attitude towards others.'

In addition to teaching young people skills that help them make a living, the centre - which is run by the church - hopes to teach them Christian values.

Derek Chan is another young man who has benefited from the programme.

He was arrested two years ago for carrying  weapons and  spent three months at the Sha Tsui Detention Centre.

During an 18-month course at the Fullness Hair Salon, he learned how to blow-dry, perm and colour clients' hair.

'Giving hair cuts may look easy, but actually it is not,' he said.

'You have to practise a lot before you get it right.

'My teachers told me about their own experiences and showed me how to control my temper. I also improved my communication skills.

'I don't regret who I was, because without my past, I would never be the person I am now. My family is giving me their full support and I treasure all I have at the moment.'



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Drugs

A second chance