bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

SCMP Reporter

Brawlers deserve harsh punishment
 On February 16, there was a brawl between two groups of students in Ho Man Tin. By the time police arrived, the gangs had disappeared.
I was shocked by this incident, as the people involved were teenagers. I can't believe this happened in a civilised city like Hong Kong.
I think those teens are immature and have no respect for the law. If they are caught, they should be severely punished.
This incident can be used in moral education lessons in schools as an example of reckless behaviour. Teachers can discuss it with students, and explain why it is wrong.
Social workers and school counsellors should teach our students how to release their stress and relax in more positive ways.
 Mandy Chan Shuk-man, King Ling College
Urgent need to tackle drug crisis
 The level of drug abuse by Hong Kong's youth is becoming serious.
Everyone knows about the terrible effects of drug abuse, and how hard it is for people to quit once they are addicted. We need to do more to tackle this crisis.
The government is considering compulsory drug tests, but I doubt this alone is really the answer.
I think penalties for those who sell drugs, especially to children, should be increased. This will make it more difficult for teens to find people who are willing to sell them drugs.
We should all support anti-drug projects like the government's Beat Drugs Fund. I agree with their motto:  'No drugs, no regrets. Not now, not ever.'  
Jimmy Lam, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College
Let's communicate
 We all need to communicate with other people every day.  It is an essential part of our lives, no matter how quiet or shy we may be. 
But simply chatting is not the same as communicating well. Sometimes we chat just to fill the silence, not really expressing ourselves.
Real communication is honest and frank. It allows us to share our thoughts and emotions, and to really connect with others. 
Chan Lok-sze, STFA Tam Pak Yu College
Our elderly people need more help
 I recently took part in a school project to examine problems faced by the elderly in Hong Kong. I learned that many of them suffer from health problems.  
The government has  announced  the Elderly Health Care Voucher Pilot Scheme. This provides five health care vouchers of HK$50 each to those aged 70 or above each year. But I don't think this is nearly enough.
I have learned a lot about the needs of the elderly, and I feel I should now try to do something for them.
 A Reader
Rude and uneducated
 I strongly agree with those who say the man who threw his shoe at Premier Wen Jiabao  was wrong to express his discontent in this way.
The premier was a guest at Cambridge University. He travelled to Europe in order to improve relations with European countries and understand them better. 
To show our dissatisfaction, we can take steps such as writing letters or holding demonstrations. Insulting and injuring other people is not acceptable. 
People who behave in that way are rude and uneducated.
Stanley Kwan, Yuen Long Merchants Association Secondary School



letters