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Dear Readers,

With sincere gratitude, I am delighted to

announce the launch of P-assage, a

journal for ‘Path Builders’.

‘Path Builders’, a group of aspirants with

different backgrounds, has been a growing

force in the past two years, forging ahead

for the expansion of the ‘Path Builders’

platform. They encouraged the youth to

pursue positive life attitude through a variety

of innovative ways and strengthened their

resistance to adversity and temptations.

During the course, we laughed, we

enjoyed and we were euphoric… let us

compile all these happy memories into

P-assage, which includes stories of past

events, highlight of the forthcoming

events, interview with honorable guests

and analysis on recent drug cases.

Through this platform, I hope we can get to

know one another better, build up our

rapport and strengthen our power to

extend the paths we are constructing for

the youth, so that more of them can join us

heading towards their better future.

Last but not least, I would like to pay

my tribute to all ‘Path Builders’ for their

k ind-hear tedness and generous

contributions. Let us give them a big

applause. Hurray!

Mr Ma Ching Nam, SBStJ, JP, was awarded with the ‘Path Builders’ Exemplary Award in the “No Drugs, No Regrets” Pledge Ceremony in 2009.

The Editor

Appointed as an Anti-drug Ambassador and awarded with the ‘Path Builders’ Exemplary Award in 2009, Mr Ma Ching Nam, SBStJ, JP, is widely recognised for his unfailing support to the anti-drug cause. We are honoured to have Mr Ma to share his experience and story with us.

Getting started from the root of drug problems

Mr Ma believes that youth drug abuse problem should be traced back to the root of social problems. To solve this problem at root, the crucial way is to provide more support to the young people in their pursuit of better prospects. ‘In fact, problematic teenagers are good in nature. We should guide them, nurture them and assist them to pursue their interests and to discover their strengths in order to keep them in the right track.’ ‘Implementing anti-drug initiatives for teenagers requires support of different parties. For example, schools are best placed to imparting anti-drugs knowledge to students as early as their primary studies. As long as the students are well-educated on avoiding drugs, they will be able to identify right from wrong when reaching out to the world. For those who are addicted to drugs, social workers and doctors have to collaborate closely. Social workers could counsel the young drug abusers and refer them to medical doctors for professional advice so that they are made better aware of their own mental and physical health.’

Keep your feet on the ground & Practise what you preach

How did Mr Ma get himself knotted up with the anti-drug cause? He refreshed his memory and said, ‘There were so many organisations wanting to contribute to the younger generations and the community but had no idea of what to do. I have

done my humble part by promoting the anti-drug cause to them. I lined them up with parties who needed support on the anti-drug front.’ Since the launch of ‘Path Builders’, Mr Ma has successfully enlisted many organisations and individuals with different backgrounds to join this platform, such as Shun Hing Group, The Kowloon Motor Bus Co. (1933) Ltd, Hong Kong St John Ambulance Brigade, Hong Kong Chiu Chow Chamber of Commerce, Asiaray Advertising Media Ltd, etc.

Practising on what he preached, Mr Ma led his fellows to reach out to the young night drifters, interacted with them, showed them support and care. He highly commended the North District Hospital for their excellent work. Their outreaching social workers and medical professionals teamed up to provide volunteer counseling and medical checkup services for teenagers who were at risk or addicted to drug. Furthermore, they organised a variety of healthy activities for the youth, such as Hip Hop Dance and interest classes. The achievements of the project are widely recognised.

Insisting on meaningful cause, there must be ways to maintain a work-life balance

When being asked about how to maintain a work-life balance amidst his busy schedule, Mr Ma answered right away, ‘When you see the teenagers living a good life with your support, what else can make you hesitate? It is simple - less time on work and private life and one can then spare enough time for meaningful community causes.’

At the end of the interview, Mr Ma asked about the current status of ‘Path Builders’ and promised to introduce more passionate persons, meaningful events and generous parties to join the platform.

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PAST EVENTSOrganiser: Rotary Club of Kowloon East and the Brighter Future Foundation

Anti-Drug Essay CompetitionCo-organiser: Education Bureau, Narcotics Division, Security Bureau and Home Affairs Department • Target: Primary Six students; School-based competition •

Date: April 23 2010 • Venue: Hong Kong International Trade & Exhibition Centre • Website: http://www.brighterfuture.com.hk/v4/index.php

S.K.H. Lui Ming Choi Primary School (PM) students showed excitment for achieving the title winner of the competition.

Through essay writing and stage performance competitions with anti-drug theme, the participating senior primary students have acquired more knowledge on the fight against drug abuse. The responses to the competitions were exciting with the over 50% of primary schools participating and over 27,000 entries of essay, in which 6 of them were shortlisted at the final round of stage performance competition.

Pledging Ceremony of Young Anti-Drug Ambassadors

A pledging ceremony of Young Anti-Drug Ambassadors cum anti-drug exhibition, organised by the Brighter Future Foundation, was held at the Hong Kong Disneyland on July 3. At the ceremony, over 1,400 students were appointed role models to fight against drug abuse. Everybody had a wonderful day at the Disney Resort.

Sharing of Dr Wong Kar Mau, Bernard, Chairperson of the Brighter Future Foundation

The series of anti-drug activities organised by the Foundation, including the Ant i-Drug Essay Competit ion in February, the Performance Competition in April and the Young Anti-Drug Ambassadors pledging ceremony at the Disneyland in July, has reached out to nearly 50,000 participants of senior primary school students. I deeply appreciated the assistance of the Government and educationists at each of these activities. We have a Chinese saying, ‘always be grateful and thoughtful to those who have offered us favours’. Girls and boys, you should never forget and always be thankful for the nurturing of your teachers and principals. In the forthcoming carnival which will be held at the Shatin racecourse on September 25, we expect that our Young Anti-Drug Ambassadors will take up their role of preaching for a drug-free and healthy life style.

More than one thousand students visited the anti-drug exhibition before the commencement of the pledging ceremony so as to get themselves prepared for the mission on fight against drug.

Mr Lai Tung Kwok, the Under Secretary for Security, was one of the officiating guests at the finals of the competition. The organiser appointed celebrities including Mr Michael Hui Koon-man, Mr Eric Tsang Chi-wai, Mr Ekin Cheng and Ms Miriam Yeung Chin-wah as anti-drug ambassadors to disseminate anti-drug messages to the youth.

An ‘Anti-Drug Essay Competition Digest’ comprising the best 750 essays, snapshots of the events and apothegms from Government officials, academic representatives and celebrities, has been compiled to showcase the success of the event.

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PAST EVENTSOrganiser: Federation of Parent–Teacher Associations of Yau, Tsim & Mongkok Districts

Post-event sharing of Mrs Lee Tam Yee Lin, Chairperson of the Hong Kong &

Kowloon Jade Merchants & Workers Union Association

I first took part in Narcotics Division’s activities about two years ago. I realised the impor tance o f d i ssemina t i ng ant i -drug messages to teenagers. Recently, our Association has proactively sponsored an ant i -drug ta lk in our district. Thanks to the support of the District Fight Crime Committee and the F e d e r a t i o n o f P a r e n t – Te a c h e r Associations of Yau, Tsim & Mongkok District, we have successfully invited 200 students f rom 4 pr imary schools to participate in our talk. We are honoured by Dr Tsang Fan Kwong for giving an interesting presentation and Mr Andy Lam, the Beat Drugs Master, to share his story with the students. The speakers were very much inspir ing. We had a wonderful and joyful ambiance in which the students enjoyed so much. They were enthusiastic in answering questions raised by the speakers. I am so glad to have supported this meaningful event and I do expect more opportunities with which we can offer our contributions in the future.

Anti-Drug Talk for Primary School StudentsCo-organiser: Narcotics Division, Security Bureau • Sponsor: Hong Kong & Kowloon Jade Merchants & Workers Union Association •

Target: senior primary students • Date: July 5 2010 • Venue: Henry G. Leong Yaumatei Community Centre

The interaction between the speakers and the students further boosted the sentiment of the participants.

Dr Tsang Fan Kwong, a psychiatrist, gave with humour an interesting presentation to students on the adverse effects of drug abuse, followed by experience sharing by Andy Lam, one of the participants of a “Path Builders • ExxonMobil Beat Drugs Master” Project. Students were very attentive and enthusiastic in raising and answering questions. They had a lively discussion with the speakers on the dark sides of drug taking. The talk ended in a joyful ambiance.

The laughing students were enthusiastic in answering questions.

Visit to C&E Training SchoolCo-organiser: Narcotics Division, Security Bureau • Sponsor: Hong Kong & Kowloon Jade Merchants & Workers Union Association • Target: Secondary students •

Date: July 6 2010 • Venue: Customs and Excise Training School

Enjoying a performance of drug detector dogs; visiting the firing range and learning the applications of guns used by Customs officers; viewing the most important seizures of the illegal items displayed in the Customs museum; and observing a lesson at the training school ... The visit to the Customs and Excise Training School was a precious opportunity for the secondary students to widen their exposure and to enrich their knowledge on the duties of the Customs officers.

The representative from the Customs and Excise Training School introduced the facilities of the firing range and the important issues of firing training to the students. It was a precious experience for the participants.

Trainees were specially arranged to interact with the visiting parents, teachers and students during the tea session in order to enhance their knowledge on the duties of the Customs and Excise Department.

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PAST EVENTSOrganiser: Hong Kong Chiu Chow Chamber of Commerce

Visit to the Christian New Being FellowshipCo-organiser: Narcotics Division, Security Bureau • Target: Board of Directors and members of Hong Kong Chiu Chow Chamber of Commerce • Date: July 10 2010 •

Venue: Campus of the Christian New Being Fellowship in Sai Kung • Website: http://www.newbeing.org.hk/site/index.htm

The Board of Directors and members of the Hong Kong Chiu Chow Chamber of Commerce visited the Christian New Being Fellowship to show their support and care to the teenagers. From the visit, the participants learnt about the life of the youngsters on the campus, the development blueprint of the Fellowship and its mission of preparing the teenagers for their future life in the society. Amid the unstable weather, the visitors expressed their care and support to the young people during their visit. Some of them even shared their feeling with their friends after the visit by emails and encouraged people around to show their love and care to the teenagers in need.

With shiny smiles showing on the faces, the young men whose passion on football game would never be halted by the burning sun.

Hong Kong Chiu Chow Chamber of Commerce disseminated anti-drug messages regularly through their newsletters, delegated members to participate in anti-drug seminars and distributed T-shirts printed with anti-drug messages to the ethnic minorities in Hong Kong.

Website: http://www.chiuchow.org.hk/show.asp?id=79

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Group photo of the officiating guests, mentors and mentees of the programme

PAST EVENTSOrganiser: Tung Wah Group of Hospitals CROSS Centre

Organiser: The Law Society of Hong Kong

Law Society MentorshipSupporting organisation: Narcotics Division, Security Bureau • Date: April 25 2010 • Venue: The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Building

To build on the success of Phase One launched in 2009, the Law Society of Hong Kong launched Phase Two of the “Path Builders Mentorship Programme” in April 2010. The Programme aims at fostering a positive life attitude among teenagers through building up good relationship between mentors and mentees and regular get-togethers and communications via different channels. The programme has recruited 110 barristers, solicitors, trainee solicitors, accountants, engineers, town planners and surveyors to be mentors of youngsters from 27 secondary schools in Yuen Long and North Districts.

Southern District Talk Co-organiser: The Social Welfare Department (Central Western, Southern and Islands Districts), Southern District Office, Federation of Parent-Teacher

Associations of Southern District, Western District Police Community Relations Office, Southern District Joint Schools Conference and Education Bureau • Supporting organisation: Narcotics Division, Security Bureau • Souvenir sponsor: Hong Kong Chiu Chow Chamber of Commerce •

Target: Parents of the Southern District • Date: July 10 2010 • Venue: Pui Tak Canossian Primary School

Ms Sally Wong, Commissioner for Narcotics, was invited as the officiating guest of the launching ceremony of the ‘Path Builders Mentorship Programme’ organised by the Law Society of Hong Kong

H o n D r. P a n P e y C h y o u , a psychiatrist and a Path Builder, was invited to give a talk on the adverse effects of youth drug abuse.

The talk aimed at enriching the anti-drug knowledge and raising the awareness of parents in the Southern District on youth drug abuse, so as to promote a drug-free community. Hon Dr. Pan Pey Chyou, a psychiatrist and a Path Builder, was invited to give a talk on the adverse effects of youth drug abuse.

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UPCOMING EVENTSCharity Gala Premiere

Organiser: The Rotary Club of Admiralty • Movie: Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D • Date: September 21 2010 • Venue: AMC, Festival Walk, Kowloon Tong

The Charity Gala Premiere aims at raising fund for the “Say No To Drugs • Path Builders For Youth” Project through ticketing and sponsorship. The Tung Wah Group of Hospitals CROSS Centre is the implementation agency of the project.

For details of the project and the Charity Gala Premiere, please contact Ms Vivian Poon on 5186 9351 or by e-mail: rca.saynodrugs@yahoo.com.hk

Territory-wide School Sports Carnival

Organiser: Rotary Club of Kowloon East and the Brighter Future Foundation • Date: September 25 2010 • Venue: Shatin Racecourse • Website: http://www.brighterfuture.com.hk/v4/index.php

To echo the forthcoming 16th Asian Games to be held in Guangzhou, the Brighter Future Foundation will hold a carnival aims at developing young people’s interest in sports. The Carnival will comprise a variety of activities including athletic games with over one thousand students taking part in, Wing Chun Martial Arts performance by teenagers, anti-drug game booths, etc.

CASE STUDIESTo keep our members abreast of the latest development in the anti-drug cause, we would share in this column real drug cases with you. In this issue, we note

a case involving an adult, who recruited a 13-year-old boy to traffick packages of ketamine, being convicted and was originally sentenced to two years’

imprisonment. The Magistrate subsequently accepted the Police’s application made under Section 56(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance for imposing an

enhanced sentence.

Apart from drug abusing, the juvenile drug landscape has been evolving

and extended to drug trafficking in recent years. Above all, ages of

juvenile delinquents involved in drug trafficking are getting notably lower.

Teenagers, who can easily be lured and deceived because of their

prematurity, are often the target of drug traffickers. As such, ‘Path

Builders’, when talking to fellow adults on the anti-drug front, may quote

real cases and relevant legislation to elaborate on the severity of

instigating minors in drug offences.

Enhanced sentence for a male drug trafficker

Police have successfully applied for an enhanced sentence under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, resulting in a 21-year-old male drug trafficker, who was charged with conspiracy to traffic in dangerous drugs, sentenced to three years imprisonment at Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts today (April 21).

The court heard that in June 2009, a 13-year-old boy was found in possession of a pile of empty small resalable plastic bags in Wong Tin Sin. The boy admitted that he had been recruited by a man with triad background to deliver packages of Ketamine to unknown customers on the streets of Wong Tai Sin District when he attended an amusement game centre in May 2009.

After investigation, Police arrested the 21-year-old man on June 19, 2009 in Wong Tin Sin who was subsequently charged with one count of conspiracy to traffic in dangerous drugs. He was convicted and originally sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. The Magistrate accepted the Police’s application for imposing an enhanced sentence using Section 56(a) of Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. Subsequently, the man was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.

“Police will continue to proactively combat all dangerous drugs offences through multi-agency approach. Section 56(a) of Dangerous Drugs Ordinance will continue to be used to impose enhanced sentence in prosecution of adult offender who has involved a minor in committing a specified drug offence,” a Police spokesman said.

Police Report No. 4

Thank you for supporting ‘Path Builders’

Please circulate this newsletter to your friends and

invite them to join this meaningful platform

Contact Us

Phone ：2867 5976 / 2867 2766

Fax ：2810 1790

Email ：pathbuilders@sb.gov.hk

Website ：www.pathbuilders.gov.hk

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~ Source quoted from Hong Kong’s Information Services Department: http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201004/21/P201004210302.htm