簡介
Presenter：Cindy Ng
Listen to #Hashtag Hong Kong every Sunday morning at 8.15
Focussing on issues affecting civil society, we'll hear from representatives of NGOs, associations, statutory bodies, and non-profit groups.
(Sundays 8.15am - 8.25am)
最新
Mabel Lo, Executive Director, TREATS
Can you imagine that a young person who is blind and with mild mental challenge can sail by himself?
In 2019, we welcomed our first sailing team member with visual impairment, a teenager named Ben. Despite his inability to see, he participated in our Inclusive Sailing Project and Inclusive Sailing Race alongside our volunteers. Ben truly enjoyed sailing. He put in great effort to memorize all the sailing instructions. He shared that he could sense the wind direction and feel the vibrations of the dinghy on his face, allowing him to fully immerse himself in the experience.
Impressively, Ben was awarded our scholarship, which granted him the opportunity to learn advanced sailing skills. During the advanced sailing training, the coach sent me a video of Ben sailing the dinghy independently, without needing a buddy. When I watched the video, tears welled up in my eyes. It was a powerful reminder that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can enjoy sports with equal opportunities.
TREATS, established in 1979, is a registered charity and non-governmental organization in Hong Kong dedicated to providing equal opportunities for underprivileged children with diverse abilities to participate in the community and realize their potential. We are pioneers in advocating for children's social inclusion in Hong Kong. Through TREATS’ social inclusion programs, we aim to instill values of acceptance, equality, and diversity in the next generation, helping to change perceptions and end discrimination. We believe that children and youth of all abilities and backgrounds can join hands, learn to appreciate diversity, and unlock their full potential.
TREATS has conducted various surveys over the past 10 years to explore the social inclusion and community participation levels of children with disabilities. These studies consistently found that the community participation and social inclusion levels of children with disabilities were unsatisfactory. Regarding leisure participation, the surveys revealed that most community activities were not suitable for children with disabilities. Their choices were limited, and coaches often lacked the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively teach children with disabilities. In terms of social inclusion, the surveys indicated that children with disabilities lacked a social support network and friends. They often found it difficult to seek assistance in the community. Children with disabilities and their parents faced varying levels of exclusion and discrimination within the community.
There are numerous factors that can contribute to the community disengagement of children with disabilities. However, according to surveys conducted by TREATS, one key issue that has consistently hindered their community engagement over the past few years is a prevalent lack of awareness, misunderstanding, and prejudice among the general public towards children with disabilities.
Crucially, there have been limited opportunities for the public to have first-hand interactions and contact with children with disabilities. Such direct exposure and engagement would significantly enhance public understanding and acceptance of this marginalized group.
The persistent misunderstandings and prejudices held by many in the community have, in turn, directly contributed to wider discrimination and social exclusion faced by children with disabilities. Addressing these deeply rooted biases and fostering greater inclusion are essential for ensuring these children can equally participate and belong within their local communities.
Social inclusion programs offer a powerful approach to facilitating community engagement for children with disabilities.
Firstly, these programs provide opportunities for children with disabilities to develop essential skills such as self-confidence, resilience, problem-solving, communication, and social skills. This empowerment enables them to reach their full potential and actively participate in their communities.
Secondly, these programs maximize equal social participation by ensuring that children with disabilities have equal access to leisure and recreational activities. This not only strengthens their community connections but also cultivates a sense of belonging and self-worth.
Thirdly, these programs drive positive social change by creating platforms for direct contact and interaction between the public and children with disabilities. These positive experiences enhance public understanding, reduce prejudice and discrimination, and ultimately promote greater acceptance of children with disabilities within the community.
To conclude, it is crucial to continue advocating for greater awareness, understanding, and acceptance of diversity and end discrimination. By working together, we can build a Hong Kong where all children, regardless of their background and abilities, have the opportunity to thrive and actively participate in their communities.
I would like to dedicate the song 'We're All in This Together' to you.
重溫
Cindy Ng, Senior manager, Program and Services of KELY Support Group
Presenter：Cindy Ng
The landscape of substance use amongst young people in Hong Kong presents a significant public health challenge that demands comprehensive attention. KELY Support Group is committed to youth drug and alcohol prevention, recognising the complex factors contributing to substance misuse amongst adolescents and young adults. We need to come to a consensus that addressing this issue requires collaborative effort across our community.
Recent data from the Narcotics Division reveals a complex trend in youth substance use. While the total number of reported drug users has decreased in 2024 compared to the previous year, the number of young drug users has increased instead, by 15%. This highlights the need for targeted intervention strategies. We must also be aware that these statistics may not reflect the real situation as there are more hidden drug cases, and alarms should also be raised for them.
Of particular concern is the emergence of "space oil", a substance gaining rapid popularity amongst young people. Typically packaged as e-cigarette capsules, it contains etomidate, a medical anaesthetic that requires a doctor's prescription. This drug has become increasingly accessible through digital platforms, emerging as the third most prevalent substance amongst youth in the first half of 2024. Specifically, 75 out of 452 young drug users reported using space oil, with cannabis and cocaine remaining the top two substances.
Over KELY's three decades of prevention work amongst youth, we noticed a significant shift in young people's attitude towards substance use. The changing global landscape, with several countries legalising marijuana and adopting more open discussions about substance use, has piqued young people's interest and curiosity about different substances. This is particularly noticeable amongst those planning to travel or study overseas.
Social media has fundamentally transformed how young people access information about substances. While these platforms provide unprecedented access to knowledge, they also present significant challenges. Young people often struggle to distinguish between credible facts and misinformation, leaving them vulnerable to potential risks.
At KELY, we believe that prevention and education is crucial, especially before young people encounter illegal or harmful substances. Our approach focuses on imparting facts, especially potential risks and harm relating to substance use for youth, enabling them to make informed decisions. We work closely with schools to provide prevention education, creating safe spaces where young people can openly discuss drug issues and ask questions, with access to credible knowledge.
We recognise that drug use is often linked to mental health, with many young people turning to substances as a coping mechanism for stress, relationship challenges, and other life pressures. Therefore, our work extends beyond prevention to support the development of healthy coping strategies and robust support networks. We aim to equip young people with tools such as peer support skills to navigate the complex challenges of their teenage years effectively.
Schools, educators, parents, and the community must play a comprehensive and collaborative role in drug prevention and youth education. This approach requires a multi-dimensional strategy that goes beyond traditional information delivery. Schools should include evidence-based, age-appropriate curriculum that integrates interactive workshops and mental health support. Creating early warning systems is critical to this approach, where staff are trained to recognise signs of substance vulnerability and provide confidential counselling without judgement.
Parents need robust support to effectively engage with their children. Workshops that teach communication strategies can help parents understand adolescent psychology, and guide them in creating open, non-confrontational dialogues about substance use. Community involvement is equally crucial, requiring coordinated efforts between local health services, youth organisations, and support infrastructure that offers accessible counselling, mental health resources, and mentorship programmes.
In the digital age, prevention strategies must also adapt to technological landscapes. This means developing verified online resources, interactive educational platforms, and social media awareness campaigns that teach digital literacy and critical information evaluation. Young people need tools to understand online risks, practise responsible digital citizenship, and learn to distinguish credible information from misinformation.
The underlying principle of KELY Support Group's interventions is prevention, empathy, and peer support. Our organisation recognises that addressing youth substance use requires a fundamentally different approach from traditional punitive measures. Instead, KELY focuses on building individual resilience, promoting healthy lifestyle choices, and creating supportive environments that address the root causes driving young people towards substance experimentation. At KELY, we believe that by developing a comprehensive and unified ecosystem of support, education, and understanding, we can more effectively prevent substance misuse and empower young people to make informed, healthy decisions that positively shape their future.
