Zhang Qian

zhqcindy@163.com

IN a bid to intervene and prevent teenagers from taking drugs, a four-day camp was held to provide training to 130 representative personnel working at various anti-drug and youth organizations throughout Guangdong Province. The camp was opened yesterday morning at Shenzhen Youth College in Futian District.

The 130 representatives are from 21 cities and counties in the province, and work as government officials, social workers, volunteers or university staff. The camp will last until Friday.

Organized by the Guangdong Provincial Communist Youth League and Guangdong Provincial Narcotics Control Commission, the training camp’s goal is to provide the representatives with a solid understanding of theories and case studies about controlling drug abuse among teenagers.

“Drug abuse is a problem faced by many countries and shows a worsening trend,” said Liang Junda, deputy Party chief of the provincial Communist youth league.

“Although the general situation of drug abuse and trafficking remains stable in Guangdong, it appears that we are still facing a critical situation when it comes to teenage drug abuse.”

Liang addressed that cases where teenagers commit crimes under the influence of drugs only take place now and then, but cause heartbreaking consequences.

It is crucial for both the youth league and the narcotics control commission to prevent teenagers from getting hold of drugs of any kind, said Liang.

The organizers said the four-day training program will invite experts to share their experiences and knowledge of intervening in teenage drug use through lectures and panel discussions.

Zhai Kaixia, vice director of the provincial narcotics control commission and director of the Narcotics Control Bureau under the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department, gave the first lecture to the camp attendees.

Comparing helping teenagers with getting rid of drug addiction at drug rehabilitation centers, Zhai said, the more effective way is to further raise awareness of the harms and tragic consequences that drugs will bring to a person and his or her family.

Being able to communicate with teenagers who are suffering from all kinds of pressure and are more vulnerable to taking drugs is also one of the key skills that the anti-drug personnel should master, added Zhai.