II. Government Anti-Drugs Work

The Department for Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependence of the Social Welfare Bureau under the government of the Macao SAR is responsible for the planning and the execution of drug abuse prevention and treatment work. Its main vocations are: to implement drug abuse preventive education and publicity, to provide treatment and social rehabilitation services, to collect and analyze important materials and data in the drug dependence domain, to conduct relevant studies, and also to participate in regional and international co-operation.

Macao’s drug prevention and treatment work has entered a mature and professional stage. Regarding prevention work, it has developed to a multi-interactive and technological teaching model, with targets of schools, families and people from different social classes. As for treatment methods and related facilities, substantial improvement has been made. The work against drug has been gaining gradual recognition and support in society. Based on this, in 2004, the DPTDD of the Social Welfare Bureau consolidated the Healthy Life Education Program for Primary Schools, strengthened the promotion on prevention of smoking and alcohol education for Secondary Schools, developed anti-drug education, as well as stressing on the participation of youngsters by organizing Youth Anti-drugs Activities Award Project to optimize achievement on drug abuse prevention for children and adolescents. Meanwhile, there were further developments in treatment services by providing assistance to NGO’s on facilities and operation management towards the direction of systemized management and quality service. Different measures were attempted to maximize the therapeutic results, in addition, resources were multiplied to provide treatment and council for smokers and drinkers who seek help voluntarily. In the same year, the Social Welfare Bureau responded quickly to the rapid rise of HIV infections within drug addicts, by strengthening related promotions, follow-up and outreach services, as well as co-operations with the Health Bureau and non-governmental treatment partners. Furthermore, organized inspection trips to Hong Kong for front-line treatment workers in the aim of improving the skills and expertise of Macao’s treatment workers and medical staff on related duties, in particular their prevention and treatment ability and experiences on handling drug- related infectious diseases.

In 2004, the Social Welfare Bureau participated in regional and international anti-drug conferences and activities. The realization of “The 3rd Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Conference on Drug Abuse” in September activated and consolidated further exchanges and co-operations on drug combat among the 3 regions.

The Division of Prevention of Drug Abuse and The Division for Treatment and Social Rehabilitation are two subordinate units of the Department for Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependence of Social Welfare Bureau, which are in charge of all prevention and treatment work.

By means of seminars, exhibitions, training courses and the media, the Division promotes anti-drug education and propaganda in schools, communities, families and to people from different social classes. The Division also encourages and supports NGO’s to hold drug abuse prevention events, aimed at rising the general public’s awareness of drug control, enhancing people’s concern and participation in Macao’s drug control, establishing a drug-free community together.

At present, anti-drug preventive education in Macao is developing towards the direction of diversified teaching and activities and systemized teaching materials. Besides holding general anti-drug talks and promotions, in recent years, anti-drug preventive program for Primary and Secondary Schools have been introduced. For instance, “Healthy Life Education” and “Clearing the Smoke-The Quest for the Truth about Cigarettes”, programs have evident results and have been expanding ever since. In 2004, developed two more programs targeted for Form 2 and Form 3 secondary school students. Alcohol, cannabis, and party drugs were chosen to be the focus with audiovisual materials and class activities. At the same time, corresponding to the evolution of drug abuse and the demand of society, the promotion and supply of anti-drug information were strengthened, such as publishing drug control reports, promotional posters, leaflets, practical handbooks, magazines and so on. In addition, the use of radios, television, banners, and buses were also integrated to reinforce the anti-drug propaganda within the community, together with the professionals of the division presenting anti-drug education to schools and community, so as to cover all aspects and corners in the society.

“Healthy Life Education Center”

“The Healthy Life Education” is an internationally recognized program of health and drug education. The targets are 5-12 years old children. By using specific audiovisuals and interactive teaching method, children are led towards the advantages of a healthy life as well as the dangers of drug abuse. Since its introduction in September 2000, around 50,000 students times from 64 schools benefited from the program.

“Healthy Life Education” continued to expand in 2004. During the year, 50 schools participated, with 19,808 students of more than 515 classes, an increase of 21% with 4,243 students in 2003. The total number of students benefited this program and broke the previous record due to the demand from schools. The new “Healthy Life Education Center” was set up in 2003, of which 2 classrooms are available, besides the development of English program also increased the number of participants. Throughout the years, more than 843 teachers participated in class, 3 schools participated in special needs classes. Through class activities which can enabled students to establish right attitude and the advantages of a healthy life, students were developed for the defense mechanism against drug abuse, setting a good foundation for children’s growth.

# The Implementation of Healthy Life Education English Program

Healthy Life Education English Program

As for the realization of the “Policy Address for Fiscal of MSAR 2004”, the development on the project of the Healthy Life Education English Program, related teaching aids was introduced in the same year, which includes training English educator and class trial. The results were satisfactory with 8 English schools having participated; with 2,721 students and 129 accompanying teachers. The development of the English program can make Healthy Life Education Program become a bilingual program, providing more learning conditions to students that made the program more popular.

Healthy Week Activities

# Healthy Week Activity

This activity was held in response to “World No Tobacco-Free Day” on 31 May, a promotion of anti-smoking messages to enhance students’ concern on health. During May, the SWB organized “Tobacco-Free Environment, Health First” healthy week. The mascot “Harold” of Healthy Life Education together with the staff visited 5 schools and brought the message of smoke-free environments and healthy life to 5,570 primary school students who had participated in the Program.
Funny and lively ways were used to lead students to learn how to refuse second-hand smoke in a friendly manner, as well as to protect a fresh-air environment. On the other hand, students are taught the important factors of keeping a healthy body and a happy mind; such as a balanced diet, consumption of more water, regular sleep, regular exercise and breathing fresh air. The activity received a warm welcome.

# Healthy Life Education Center Open Day

Open Day

On 24 July 2004, the SWB organized Healthy Life Education Center open day in the aim of strengthening people’s awareness on healthy life. By means of talks and activities, parents were enabled to understand the importance of preventive education, thereby enhancing their concern on parent-children relationships and the growth of their children. There were about 300 participants on that day.

Activities on that day included smart kids’ hour for children, stall games, Harold thoughtful card design, exhibition, programs and facilities presentations, and so on. Two sessions of “Efficient Teaching Strategy” talks was given by the Chief of the Division for Treatment and Social Rehabilitation, Mr. Hon Wai. Mr. Hon used lively and interesting methods and everyday examples thereby enabling parents’ understanding and commitment, as well as raising related questions. The show up for Harold also brought excitement to the students and photo - taking was the resulting main focus point on that day.

“Clearing the Smoke-The Quest for the Truth about Cigarettes” class

The program started operation in 2002. It is based on Healthy Life Education and continue to develop into a anti-smoking prevention program. Its target is Form one Secondary School students, and uses a new interactive teaching method with multi-media equipment. Discussions are held with students about smoking so as to make preventive education and try to minimize the number of student smoking as early as possible. In 2004, 11 Secondary Schools of 50 classes with 2,217 Form 1 students participated in the program and received recognition and positive feedback both from teachers and students. According to questionnaires, most students agree the program increased their knowledge on cigarette damages and the determination to refuse temptation. As for teachers, they noticed that the program stimulated students’ awareness on smoking issues.

Form Two and Form Three Anti-drug Education Program

To ensure that Secondary School students can receive a sequential substance education at this crucial stage, after the launching of “Clearing the Smoke-The Quest for the Truth about Cigarettes”, in 2004, two substance related program were introduced: “Party Smart” and “Risky Business” were introduced to Form 2 and Form 3 students. Subjects included alcohol, cannabis, ecstasy, ketamine and other party-drugs. Fun-filled and interactive methods are used to bring out drug knowledge, as well as skills on problem solving, communication, decision making and seeking help were utilized. Apart from this, harm-reduction methods help students evaluate damages that can caused in drug-related situations and plan how to prevent and minimize harm in potential crises. In addition to this, the program specified not a lot of people are addicted to drugs and it also provide an accurate statistics as support.

“Risky Business” class

In July 2004, educator training and trial classes were conducted. From July to December, 1,400 Form 2 and Form 3 students of 38 classes from 6 schools participated. Questionnaire indicated that the majority of students agreed the program enhance them to understand how drugs affect the body and social life, it also served to increase students caution in places of entertainment. Teachers considered that the curriculum is interesting as it can stimulate students’ concern on such issues.

Anti-Drug Talk

Anti-drug talks are a common mode of drug control education. For the messages to be received well and for the drug prevention targets to be attained, the Division of Prevention of Drug Abuse contacts institutions, schools, social service organizations to provide the best arrangement of anti-drug talks according to their needs. In 2004, 28 talks were given to 3,617 persons. In addition, with regard to strengthening drug prevention within the Portuguese community, the SWB collaborated with the Association of Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers of Macao to held several preventive education activities, including anti-drug talks, which will commence in the first half of 2005.

In order to enlarge the local anti-drug prevention network for teachers, social workers and professionals in 2004, 5 anti-drug talks were held for 102 people.

Visiting the “Resources Center for Anti-Drug Education”

Since the second year of its opening, the Center extends its working hour from 14:30-17:30, Monday to Friday. According to the data, 512 persons from institutions and schools visited the Center. On the other hand, there was an increase for anti-drug related magazines, teaching tools so as to meet the needs of users. In addition, the Center publishes regular periodical magazine, which will be distributed to relevant departments, institutions, schools and social service institutes to spread anti-drug messages, one more way for the citizens to know about such work and involves themselves in anti-drug work.

“Resources Center for Anti-Drug Education” Periodical Magazine

On “International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking”, summer vacation, Christmas and Chinese New Year, the SWB will diffuse anti-drug messages on television and radios. In 2004, a new anti-drug film called “The Value of Drug Abuse” was made to heighten youngsters’ awareness on drug abuse and strengthen people’s knowledge for seeking help. The SWB also collaborated with the Judiciary Police by showing anti-drug promotion posters in entertainment areas, karaokes and video game centers. To cope with the social development, in 2004, the project of Macao first anti-drug website was underway and is supposed to be operational in the middle of 2005. In addition, an anti-drug hotline 781791 of the DPDA is available for enquiries and assistance.

# The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

“International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking” Stall Games

In response to “International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking” on 26 June every year, the SWB held an event “Wonderful Drug-Free Era” at the Largo do Senado with more than 10 officials and non-governmental organizations , in the aim to strengthen people’s knowledge and concern on drug issues and popularize such messages.

The rich content of the campaign consisted of: anti-drug exhibitions, stall games, talent competitions and evening show. Exhibitions and stall games were held in the afternoon, each stall game has its specific theme with the objective of fun learning. Around 10,000 participants of families and children were present in an enthusiastic ambience. Alongside, there was a “Talent Show competition” with various qualified artistic performances such as singing, dancing, pop band and hip hop dance which attracted a hug audience.

“International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 2004”

The Evening Show was dedicated to teenagers with Hong Kong and Macao singers, Lau Ho Long and C-Plus. Apart from singing, they also played games with the audience by spreading anti-drug messages, to emphasize their concern on drug abuse, as well as to encourage them to cherish life and stay away from drugs. There was also an award ceremony for the winners of the competition in joining games of “Anti-drug SMS”.

“World No Tobacco Day” Activities

In concordance with the theme of “Tobacco and Poverty” of “World No Tobacco Day” on 31 May, the SWB with the “Health Bureau”, the “Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau” and “Young Men’s Christian Association of Macao” conducted a press conference to promote the relevant project, as well as anti-smoking message.

The “Tobacco-Free Activity” is a one-year program with several activities carried out in schools and communities. School based social workers of “Young Men’s Christian Association of Macao” implemented a “No Smoking Pledge, Tobacco-Free Ambassador” of “Tobacco-Free School Project” for 8,000 Primary 5 to Form 2 students of 22 schools. Through the school weekly gathering to promote the “No Smoking Pledge”, so as the students are reminded to spread the message to their families and communities. In addition, social workers set up different groups to train students to be the Tobacco-Free Ambassadors.

In order to optimize the transmission of tobacco-free environments to the community, from October 2004 to May 2005, the SWB with the “Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau” organized 6 times the “Tobacco-Free Environment, Healthy Community Promotion” in several parks and activity centers. Interactive games were used between staff of the SWB and Municipal volunteers to enhance youngsters’ awareness on tobacco and skills to say “No”. Participants were mostly parents and children.

# Sunny Youth Activity

“Sunny Youth Activity 2004”

In 2004, the SWB, the “Education and Youth Affairs Bureau” and the “Macao Sports Development Board” along with a non-governmental organization called “Sin Ming Charity Association” organized the “Sunny Youth 2004”. Activities included “Happy Together Cycling”, “Whole Hearted Meaningful Summer Camp” and “Thousand Suns Award Closing Music Show”. The purpose of these events allowed adolescents to become aware of their values, build up self esteem and confidence and also to develop a helpful spirit. By taking part in healthy activities, youngsters can gain the spirit of being involved in serving society.

“Happy Together Cycling” took place at the Front Area of Macao Tower in May with the theme of a family day, consisted of stall games and performances. Government officials, youngsters and parents cycling along “Nan Van Lake” to “NAPE” area. Hong Kong singer Alex Fong as Sunny Ambassador gave a singing performance and encouraged teenagers to lead a positive life, there were around 1,000 participants.

“Whole Hearted Summer Meaningful Camp” was held in “Bosco Youth Training Camp” during the summer holidays. The 3-day camp included activities such as adventuring, visit of drug treatment institutes, talks for strengthening youngsters’ communication skills and confidence. About 120 teenagers participated and the feedback was positive both from participants and parents.

“Thousand Suns Award Closing Music Show” was the last event of the activity series. It took place at the “Macao Jockey Club” on 22 October, and attracted 6,000 teenagers and citizens. Hong Kong singers Joey Yung, Alex Fong and Isabella Leong together with Macao singers were invited for the performances. The message “Value Life, Say No to Drugs” was delivered. There was also an award for outstanding Sunny Youth. In addition, in order to encourage teenagers to engage more in anti-drug works, “Sin Ming Charity Association” led about 20 Sunny Youths to join the “International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking” organized by the SWB, allowing youngsters to take part in voluntary work to contribute to society.

“Youth Anti-drugs Activities Award Project-Stage I” Awarding Ceremony

According to statistics of the “Division of Prevention of Drug Abuse” in recent years, participants in preventive education were mostly schoolchildren and adolescents. The majority of such activities were led by the government. The purposes are to motivate the population, reinforce community preventive education and target youngsters, to develop diversified anti-drug activities. In 2003, the SWB introduced the first stage of a new prevention project – “The Youth anti-drug Activities Award Project” and the award ceremony took place at the “Largo do Senado” on 2 April 2004. On that occasion, activities held by the institutions were shown and performed, and an information counter was set up to promote the second stage of the project. The Awarding Ceremony contained works by the institutions from the first edition, the “Best Youth Anti-drug Activities” was won by “Hou Kong Middle School-Student Council”, and more than 10 students shared their feeling on participating in this project.

“The 2nd Stage of Youth Anti-drugs Activities Award Project”

“Youth Anti-drugs Activities Award Project – Stage II”

The goal is to mobilize more teenagers to organize and create different anti-drug education promotional activities, thus heightening their concern and support on such work. In 2004, “The 2nd Stage of Youth Anti-drugs Activities Award Project” was carried out with the participation of 7 institutions. Apart from different competitions on drug control: drama, questions and answers, poster design, Tee-shirt design, lyrics adaptation, there was also creation on literature; “Macao Gospel Drug Treatment” will be published which will state the related situation in Macao.

Since the introduction of the 2nd Stage of the Project, over hundreds of teenagers participated, which enlarged their knowledge on drugs, as well as enhancing their awareness on drug control, therefore to set up an example and influence their friends to join. The 2004 Award Program will be extended to 2005, and “The 2nd Stage Youth Anti-drugs Activities Award Project” Awarding ceremony will also be held in 2005, “the Best Youth Anti-drugs Activities” and “The Most Creative Anti-drugs Activities” will be selected on that occasion.

Substantial Support to Non-governmental Organization to Organize Anti-drugs Activities

In 2004, the SWB continued to provide technical and financial support to Non-Governmental Organizations to develop drug control promotion activities within the community. The SWB maintained occasional and substantial financing to “Young Men’s Christian Association of Macao” for its operation and services development in the Northern District. The Association provides mainly prevention and development services. In 2004, the existing members were 998. The Center also carried out drug combat related activities. By getting involved in such activities, allowing youngsters to stay alert on the harmful effects of drugs, as well as having a positive influence between peers. Preventive promotion impregnate anti-drug messages and strengthen their self image, self respect and defense ability. Activities included singing competitions, volunteer training, adventure training camp, sport competition, open day, music sharing, etc... The total service items exceeded 150; participation attained 30,439 persons. The Center also has several function rooms: multi-purpose function room, audio-video room (karaoke), band room, computer room, dancing room and conference room.

In 2004, the SWB subsidized MOP $114,000 to 4 Non-Governmental Organizations to carry out 12 activities on the topics of anti-drug, tobacco-free and the growth of adolescents. (See chart below). Souvenir gifts were also sponsored to those organizations for activities use.