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OpinionLetters

Letters to the Editor, August 27, 2017

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An exhibition on combating youth drug abuse, at Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza Zone, Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Dickson Lee
Letters

Joint efforts needed on teen drug abuse

I agree with Bryan Wong’s letter (“NGOs treating drug addicts need more help”, August 16), which suggested how the government and parents could help teenagers to avoid taking drugs.

It seems the age of teenagers taking drugs is dropping as more escape their stress by using. But they’ve underestimated the harmful effects of drugs and often withdraw into themselves rather than seek help.

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Obviously teachers have a key role to play in identifying emotional problems among their students and can help regulate workloads to reduce stress. Teachers are under pressure but should try to establish a bond to encourage learning and diminish their anguish.

Parents also need to spend more quality time with their teenage children to help mutual understanding.

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It is crucial that parents know more about their children’s characteristics and discover their problems early on before things get out of hand.

Moreover, the government can make more of an effort to deter teenagers from becoming drug addicts. Advertising campaigns to raise awareness of drug abuse would help. NGOs and schools also could team up to push the message that ­prevention is better than cure.

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