Students Attend Drug Awareness Performance by Inmates at Stanley Prison

CSD holds drama and music performance for secondary school students at Stanley Prison

The Correctional Services Department (CSD) invited more than 300 teachers and students from 10 secondary schools to attend a "Creation and Rehabilitation" drama and music performance by persons in custody (PICs) under the Rehabilitation Pioneer Project at Stanley Prison today (March 31). The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, officiated at the opening ceremony of the performance.

During the performance, PICs staged for the students a drama featuring the story of a teenager who was lured by his peers to take the "space oil drug". The teenager eventually became addicted to it and engaged in drug trafficking in school. His friend was also lured by him to take drugs, and later had a traffic accident under the influence of drugs, which made the teenager regretful. The CSD hopes that through the drama, students can understand the harm caused by drugs and the heavy price of drug trafficking so that they can become law-abiding and drug-free citizens.

Speaking at the event, Mr Tang said that the Government published in the Gazette on February 14 the listing of etomidate, the main component of the "space oil drug", as a dangerous drug. Possession, vaping or drug trafficking can make one liable for very serious criminal punishment. The Government will continue to adopt a zero-tolerance attitude towards dangerous drugs and use multipronged strategies to combat drugs. The Government has also co-organised various activities with schools to prevent the spread of the "space oil drug" among young people. He hoped that, through the drama and interactive sessions, students can understand the dangers of emerging drugs and stay away from drugs at all times.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN). ACAN was invited to set up booths inside the venue to disseminate to students anti-drug messages, information on criminal liabilities for drug offences, how to seek help, and so on.

During the sharing session, a PIC who was addicted to drugs and imprisoned for trafficking in dangerous drugs shared his experience with the students, hoping that they can learn from it and recognise the harmful effects of drugs and reminding them to be law abiding and stay away from drugs.

Jointly organised by the CSD and the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong Lay Prison Evangelical Organisation, the "Creation and Rehabilitation" Programme has been implemented at Stanley Prison since 2011. The Programme integrates arts therapy into rehabilitation services and assists PICs in self-exploration and self-understanding through a series of creative workshops. In addition, the Programme provides opportunities for young people to visit correctional institutions and meet PICs in person so as to understand the heavy price of committing crimes and the importance of abiding by the law. At the same time, through the creation and performance by PICs, students can deepen their understanding of diversified rehabilitation programmes of the CSD, thereby recognising the importance of rehabilitation and the significance of social harmony.

CSD holds drama and music performance for secondary school students at Stanley Prison Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CSD holds drama and music performance for secondary school students at Stanley Prison Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CSD holds drama and music performance for secondary school students at Stanley Prison Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CSD holds drama and music performance for secondary school students at Stanley Prison Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CSD holds drama and music performance for secondary school students at Stanley Prison Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CSD holds drama and music performance for secondary school students at Stanley Prison Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SCST commences visit to Beijing

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, commenced her visit to Beijing today (April 2). She called on the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council (HKMAO) and the General Administration of Sport of China (GASC).

Miss Law briefed the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the HKMAO, Mr Xia Baolong, on the major work in the last four months and future plans of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB). She expressed sincere gratitude to Mr Xia and the HKMAO for their guidance and unwavering support. Mr Xia encouraged the Secretary to lead the CSTB in taking forward its duties by staying principled and innovative, to utilise the rich local resources in tourism in particular and pursue innovation, with a view to telling the good stories of Hong Kong.

Also joining the visit to Beijing are the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ms Vivian Sum; the Commissioner for Tourism, Mrs Angelina Cheung; the Head of the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong), Mr Yeung Tak-keung; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan; the Deputy Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Winnie Tse; the Commissioner for Sports, Mr George Tsoi; and the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Mr Victor Tsang.

Accompanied by the delegation, Miss Law called on the Minister of the GASC, Mr Gao Zhidan, and briefed him on the preparatory work of the 15th National Games and the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games in Hong Kong. Asserting that the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region attaches great importance to the mega sports event co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao for the first time, Miss Law said not only does it demonstrate Hong Kong’s ability in hosting major sports events, but it also deepens collaboration between the three places and promotes development of the Greater Bay Area, laying the foundation for hosting more mega events in future.

In the afternoon, Miss Law and the delegation visited the Museum of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and met with the Director of the Museum, Mr Li Zongyuan. Miss Law said it was the second time she visited the Museum and she had a stronger impression this time. Noting that Hong Kong is planning for the construction of a museum to showcase the development and achievements of the country, Miss Law said the content of the Museum of the CPC’s permanent exhibition matches with one of the themes about the CPC’s history and development in the museum-in-planning. She hoped that support and professional guidance from the Museum of the CPC could be given in future exhibitions and collaborations.

At night, Miss Law and some members of the delegation watched a performance by Wiener Symphoniker at the National Centre for the Performing Arts to experience high-level arts and cultural exchanges.

Miss Law and the delegation will continue their visit to Beijing tomorrow (April 3).

SCST commences visit to Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SCST commences visit to Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SCST commences visit to Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases