Jockey Club gives addicts hope with one-stop service

09/06/2013

To help people with various addictions break their habits, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has funded the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs) to set up and run the Integrated Centre on Addiction Prevention and Treatment (ICAPT) for five years.

Today (6 September), the Club's Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So joined Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man, TWGHs Chairman Dr Ina Chan and ICAPT Advisory Committee Chairman Professor Daniel Shek to officiate at the Centre’s opening ceremony in Wan Chai.

In stressing the Club’s commitment to promotion of people’s health, Mr So said over the past several decades, the Trust had funded a variety of drug rehabilitation services and educational programmes of different organizations. “Most of the existing services in the community are specialised in addressing one single addiction. With more young people having various addictions, the Club decided to support the establishment of ICAPT and its operation for the first five years to meet the rising demand for such services.”

With the Trust’s donation of HK$23.72 million, ICAPT will provide professional and multi-disciplinary services to individuals and families affected by such addictions as drug abuse, alcoholism, pathological gambling, smoking and overuse of the Internet. It is expected to benefit some 750 people through 4,000 face-to-face counselling sessions and reach over 150,000 people through its education programmes over the next five years.

An educational website will also be set up to provide tips on effective prevention, including an online self-assessment survey on addiction problems. With the help of experts, the Centre will also develop evidence-based assessment tools and offer training to more than 1,900 social workers and counselling professionals. Since the launch of the service last year, the Centre has received over 600 enquiries and served some 100 families.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is not only one of the world's leading horse racing organisations but also Hong Kong's largest community contributor, donating HK$1.95 billion in 2012/13. In addition, the Club is a major taxpayer, Hong Kong's single largest by far, generating over HK$17.64 billion in 2012/13 for public funds. The Club pioneers technology applications for sporting and betting entertainment, striving for the highest levels of customer service. As a membership club, it is recognised as one of Asia's most prestigious. These multifaceted roles make it a well-respected and remarkable organisation, dedicated to its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Hong Kong people.