Should the government extend the Tai Po Trial Scheme on School Drug Testing to all Hong Kong schools?

Stakeholders
Narcotics Division of HKSAR government School Authority Parents Students Social worker Human Rights Activists

Seating arrangement of the forum

Human rights activists Social workers

School Authority (principals & teachers)

Parents

Students

The Narcotics Division, Security Bureau

Teachers Desk

 No. of deaths resulting from drug abuse in HK: The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction:
the rate of drug-related death involving youngsters (aged below 25): HK: 3.8 persons per million population UK: 14.2 persons per million population Germany: 7.3 persons per million population 2005: 194; 3 cases involving teens aged below 21 2006: 155; 2 cases involving teens aged below 21

(Source: Press Release LCQ17: Tackling youth drug abuse. 16 April 2008.)

The Trial Scheme on School Drug Testing in Tai Po District (The Trial Scheme)

What has been done so far?

The Student Drug Testing Team (SDT):
had visited all 23 public sector secondary schools a total of 313 students were randomly selected for the screening test of them, 264 students took the test NO positive confirmed case

Rationale:
The current situation in HK:
Increasing number of young drug users 99% of them abuse psychotropic substances
Difficult to detect as there may be few obvious withdrawal symptoms in the short term

Availability of drugs in the market

e.g.: extra-territorial market
11% of all reported drug abusers had taken drugs in the Mainland in 2007 Some 17% (aged under 21) had taken drugs in the Mainland

Should the government extend the Tai Po Trial Scheme on School Drug Testing to all Hong Kong schools?

Public consultation forum

Participants: The representatives from the Narcotics Division, Security Bureau The school authority (the principal, teachers & school social workers) Students Parents Human rights activists

Rundown of the forum March 15 (day 6)

Representative(s) from each group: read out the position paper (word limit: 250-350, 5 minutes per group) Floor discussion (Q&A)

1st round: Questions for information clarification (2 minutes per group) free flow discussion (total: 20 minutes)

What are the arguments put forth by the government to introduce this scheme?

Position Paper
describes a position on an issue and the rationale for that position based on facts that provide a solid foundation for your argument
statistical evidence, experiences of other countries, or events authoritative references or primary source quotations Evaluate counter-proposal and suggest courses of action

 examine the strengths and weaknesses of your position What criticisms will you receive from other stakeholders? How would you respond them?
Prepare some rebuttal arguments for the forum/debate

prepare a list of questions to challenge other stakeholders

Stakeholders
Narcotics Division of HKSAR government School Authority Parents Students Social worker Human Rights Activists

Homework:
1. What are the arguments put forth by the government to introduce the bill? 1. What are the counter-arguments made by other stakeholders? 1. What is/are the controversies about the bill? 1. How effective do you think this law could help to deter drug abuse in HK? Support with examples. 1. From the newspaper articles given, list the stakeholders in this issue.