Press Release Issued on 21 June 2004

HK's first Drug InfoCentre officially opens

The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, today (June 21) officiated at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Drug InfoCentre (DIC), the first exhibition centre in Hong Kong dedicated to anti-drug education.

As a milestone in Hong Kong's endeavour against drug abuse, the DIC will serve as a popular venue for anti-drug activities and a perfect platform for promoting the anti-drug cause.

Mr Tung and the Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Ronald Arculli, also officiated at a sculpture unveiling ceremony at the DIC to signify the importance of community support and participation in the fight against drug abuse.

The Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) presented the sculpture, "Sting in the Hand", to the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust as a token of gratitude for the latter's donation of more than $50 million to fund the DIC project.

Other guests at the ceremonies included the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose SK Lee; the Chairman of the Action Committee Against Narcotics, Dr Choi Yuen-wan; the Chairman of the Drug InfoCentre Steering Committee, Professor Lee Shiu-hung; the Director of Architectural Services, Mr Yue Chi-hang; and the Commissioner for Narcotics, Mrs Rosanna Ure.

In his speech at the opening ceremony, Mr Arculli said the DIC was a remarkable achievement and a big step forward in combatting the drug abuse problem.

"It has been the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust's aim to provide a better and healthier environment for Hong Kong people by funding worthwhile community projects," Mr Arculli said.

"We hope that the establishment of the DIC can further strengthen drug preventive education and discourage young people from taking drugs, so our next generation can grow up healthily and happily.

"The DIC gives renewed impetus to the joint efforts of the Government and the community in the fight against drug abuse," Mr Arculli added.

More than 30 consuls-general and their representatives, and about 200 guests also attended today's ceremony and visited the DIC.

The Honourary Anti-drug Ambassador, Miss Miriam Yeung, as well as Anti-drug Youth Ambassadors, Miss Myolie Wu and Mr Ron Ng, led 35 members of the Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) Never Give-up Association in an appeal to young people to stay away from drugs.

Jointly organised by the Narcotics Division of the Security Bureau and the ACAN, and produced by the RTHK, the opening ceremony of the DIC marked the concerted efforts of the Government and the community in the battle against drugs.

The 900-square-metre DIC, which is located on the Roof Floor of Low Block, Queensway Government Offices, disseminates anti-drug messages through state-of-the-art multimedia exhibits, interactive games and role-play.

The DIC will be open to the public from 10am to 6pm daily. It will be closed every Wednesday and on the first two days of the Lunar New Year. Admission is free.

Designed to appeal to young people, the DIC comprises three exhibition areas, an interactive theatre, a classroom, an info-cafe and a library.

Apart from individual visits, the DIC can also arrange educational programmes for group visitors of 20 or more. For enquiries about group visits, call 2867 2762.

Since the soft opening of the DIC in March, it has received more than 1 400 visitors.

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