Hong Kong's Beat Drugs Fund has allocated about 23 million HK dollars (2.9 million U.S. dollars) for 68 projects this year to boost anti-drug efforts at the district level, Secretary of Security Ambrose Lee said Saturday.

Speaking at the launching ceremony of a local anti-drug compaign, Lee said Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive Donald Tsang has decided to speed up anti-drug efforts in five aspects such as community participation, district support, law enforcement, provisioning of drug treatment and rehabilitation, and drug testing.

"Concerted anti-drug efforts from non-governmental organizations and government departments can be strengthened at the district level. This is only proper course to win the war against drugs," Lee said.

Parents play a role of utmost importance against drugs, he added, citing the fact that around 60 percent of youth drug abusers took drugs at their own or friend's home.

The Narcotics Division of the Security Bureau launched anti- drug resource kits for parents, leaflets and websites in June, apart from talks and seminars.

In an effort to fight drug abuse, Hong Kong has recently been trying to prepare and promote a pilot scheme that requires voluntary drug testing on campuses.

(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2009)