Family doctors will join the battle against drug abuse among youngsters in a new project jointly operated with social service groups.
Under a pilot scheme introduced in Tai Po this month, 24 private practitioners will help identify drug abusers and refer them to the Hong Kong Lutheran Social Service Cheer Lutheran Centre so that they can seek help from social workers.
The Hong Kong Council of Social Service, another operator of the joint project, said a sticker featuring a logo of the scheme would be displayed at the clinics and pamphlets would be available. An officer of the council, Law Lam, said five of the participating doctors would also attend counselling sessions with drug abusers and social workers.
'Young drug abusers only seek help when they begin to suffer from physical problems after taking drugs for some time,' Ms Law said. 'With the doctors' involvement, we can help them by giving them counselling and medical help at the same time.
'By inviting doctors to join the scheme, we hope the surveillance system at the community level can be stronger. Family doctors can join us to identify young drug abusers and refer them to social workers on a voluntary basis.'
A psychological medicine clinic is also to be set up this month at Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, which is another partner in the project. 'Young drug abusers with kidney or stomach problems will not be entertained at substance abusers clinics at the seven public hospitals, which only serve patients with severe depression, delusions or psychological problems,' Ms Law said. She said the council was in talks with other NGOs to study the feasibility of extending the scheme.