Jockey Club helps spread anti-drug messages to more students

11/09/2012

In its latest support for anti-drug education, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has donated HK$6.45 million to long-time partner Life Education Activity Programme (LEAP) to purchase and equip two mobile classrooms and renovate its office at Lai Yiu Estate in Kwai Chung.

Today (9 November) Club Steward Michael T H Lee was joined by Commissioner for Narcotics Erika Hui, LEAP Chairman Chitty Cheung and LEAP Health Ambassador Andy Lau to officiate at the opening of the renovated office and commissioning of two mobile LEAP Life Education Centres.

Mr Lee noted that, as a measure of the Society’s endeavours, the total number of reported drug abusers and young drug abusers under 21 had decreased in the first half of 2012 when compared to the same period last year.  “We all know that prevention is better than cure, so the Trust was delighted to support LEAP in pursuing its mission through this renovated office and two new mobile classrooms that can use more innovative and up-to-date platforms to spread anti-drug messages extensively in the community,” he said.

The Trust’s donation covered renovation and fitting-out costs of the new office with a static classroom to serve schools that cannot accommodate the mobile classrooms on their premises, as well as the purchase and equipping of two mobile classrooms, one of which replaces a 16-year-old mobile classroom and the other facilitates service expansion. 

Each mobile classroom, known as a Life Education Centre, is designed to provide a relaxed environment where students can enjoy the programme and become involved in discussions and role plays.  Through the advanced audio and visual set-up, group discussion and role plays, students will learn more about their bodies and the harmful effects of drugs in an interactive way.

Since the 1990s, the Trust has donated over HK$23.8 million to fund LEAP projects including the purchase of eight mobile classrooms and creation of the Special Needs Programme for students in special schools under the Club’s Community Project Grants.  Another recent donation covered the production of training materials for the Special Needs Programme.  Over the past 18 years, more than a million students from primary, secondary and special schools have attended classes offered by LEAP.

In addition, the Trust initiated “P.A.T.H.S. to Adulthood: A Jockey Club Youth Enhancement Scheme” in 2005 in collaboration with the Social Welfare Department and Education Bureau. Renowned academics from five local universities established a research team to develop a range of youth development programmes for local students. Anti-drug education programmes were specially developed to better equip young people to resist the temptation of drugs.

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 a world top 15 charitable organisation and Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.7 billion in 2012. It is also a major taxpayer, Hong Kong's single largest by far, generating over HK$16 billion a year 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, with more than 23,000 members. 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.