Question Code: ED03 Topic: Youth Drug Abuse Scope of Discussion: Current Salient Trend, School Drug Testing,

Governance, Anti-drug Publicity Measures Data-response Question Consider the following sources: Source A: Newly reported drug abusers by age group by reason for current drug use, 1st quarter 2011 Reasons for current drug use Peer influence/ To identify with peers Relief of boredom/ Depression/Anxiety Avoid discomfort of its absence Curiosity To seek euphoria or sensory satisfaction Aged under 21
57.5% 36.6% 13.1% 36.2% 25.4%

Aged 21 and over

29.1% 43.7% 31.7% 23.0% 13.0%

Note: More than one reason for current drug use may be reported for each individual reported drug abuser. Source: Narcotics Division, Security Bureau (17 June 2011). Chart 7 Newly/previously reported drug abusers by age group by reason for current drug use. Retrieved 30 August, 2011 http://www.nd.gov.hk/statistics_list/doc/en/t7.pdf

Source B

Ne w ly re p orte dd ru ga b u se rs b ya g eg rou p
1500 1164 No. of pe rsons 1000
505 (43.4%)

1079
498 (46.2%)

758
474 (62.5%)

Aged under 21 Aged 21 & over

500
659 (56.6%) 581 (53.8%)

0 1st quarte r 2009 1st quarter 2010

284 (37.5%)

1st quarte r 2011

Note: Figures in brackets refer to the proportions of reported drug abusers in the respective groups. Source: Narcotics Division, Security Bureau (17 June 2011). Newly reported drug abusers by age group (1st quarter 2009 to 1st quarter 2011). Retrieved 30 August, 2011 from http://www.nd.gov.hk/statistics_list/doc/chart1.pdf

Source C The Trial Scheme on School Drug Testing in Tai Po was implemented from December 2009 to June 2010. Its objectives were to enhance the resolve of students to stay away from drugs and to give help to students troubled by drugs. The scheme was guided by four principles, namely helping students in their best interest; voluntary participation; keeping personal information strictly confidential; and professional testing and support services for students. The Chairman of the Action Committee Against Narcotics supported that School Drug Testing should be extended to other schools and districts. Another member of the ACAN said, Preventive education and publicity is a principal measure among the anti-drug strategies. So we are launching a series of anti-drug posters using our publicity slogan stand firm, knock drugs out so as to tie in with the latest trend of drug abuse and alert young people to the trap of drug abuse.
Source: 1. Narcotics Division, Security Bureau (17 June 2011). ACAN pleased by continued improvement in drug situation and completion of Tai Po School Drug Testing Trial Scheme . Retrieved 30 August, 2011 from http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201106/17/P201106170287.htm

2. Narcotics Division, Security Bureau (28 June, 2010). Trial Scheme on Tai Po School Drug Testing
completed smoothly. Retrieved 30 August, 2011 from http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201006/28/P201006280169.htm

3. Government Records Service (20 December, 2010). Anti-drug campaigns in posters exhibition to
start tomorrow. Retrieved 30 August, 2011 from http://www.grs.gov.hk/ws/online/anti_drug/tc/home/cover.html

(a) According to Source A, state the differences between the two age groups in their reasons for current drug use. (b) With reference to Source B & C, do you think School Drug Testing in Tai Po has been successful in decreasing the number of young drug abusers? (c) To tackle with the youth drug abuse problem, the government should pay more effort on anti-drug publicity measures than implementing school drug testing. Discuss whether you agree with this view.

Intention of Assessment Assessment Focus Through the analysis of current drug use statistics and the Trial Scheme on School Drug Testing, students application of concepts/knowledge such as current salient trend, youth drug abuse, self development, life skills, interpersonal relationships, peer influence, School Drug Testing, governance, anti-drug publicity measures, healthy lifestyles and so on, would be assessed. Moreover, students should be able to demonstrate basic skills like manipulating numerical data to state the different reasons for current drug use, and higher-order thinking skills like evaluating the effectiveness of the School Drug Testing in Tai Po. Expected Student Performance Knowledge Using the data and relevant concepts, such as peer influence, curiosity, pressures on adolescents, to state the differences between the two age groups in their reasons for current drug use Based on the statistical and textual data (e.g. a decrease in the number of newly-reported young drug abusers in 1st quarter 2011), making judgment whether School Drug Testing in Tai Po was successful Comparing the effectiveness of school drug testing and anti-drug publicity measures to solve the youth drug abuse problem (e.g. short-term versus longterm policies, deterring versus preventive measures) and then providing sound arguments to justify what the government should pay more effort on Skills Making effective use of numerical and textual data to analyze the current trend of youth drug abuse Applying relevant concepts/knowledge to give an informed response to the question Evaluating the effectiveness of School Drug Testing in Tai Po Making comparison between school drug testing and anti-drug publicity measures

 Providing sound arguments to justify the standpoints

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