Survey On Sports To Prevent Youth Psychotropic Drug Abuse

Since2000, Hong Kong youth drug abuse problem has drawn the society more and more attention. Data shown that there is an increasing number of youth drug addicts. Among them, they are as young as10years old and the number of girls is increased. Some young people even perceive that drug use can be a part of their daily life (normalization of drug use). A report "2008-2009Survey of Drug Use among Students" from the Narcotic Division of Security Bureau is released in March2010in which it indicated that99%1and89%respectively of secondary and primary schools selected students admitted to take drugs.And sports, whether in any forms or purpose, are able to develop young people’ s skills, knowledge, values and attitudes, to establish and enjoy an active, healthy lifestyle. Particularly, when young people are not exposed to drugs or still hovering on the edge, sports can provide ways for young people to release their emotion and energy, to develop a healthy lifestyle and to enhance their strength and resilience induced resistance.The study summarizes the reference statistics associated with the number of youth drug abuse, age, type of drugs, taking drug venues. Also, it summarizes some of the teenagers’participation in sports, their habits and choices. Interviews with experts, from different point of views, have provided an in-depth discussion of sports on the feasibility to prevent youth drug abuse, their difficulties and related issues. From the data collection and conclusion, the hypothesis of this study "Sport can be used as a mean to prevent youth drug abuse" is accepted.Through this study, it can be observed that the perception of general public on concept of sport and government policies seems to have contradiction. And, using sports as a means of prevention has not been implemented effectively. In society, there is still a lack of professional leadership to co-ordinate the entire project. In addition, the lack of relevant local studies may also discourage the government authorities to formulate policies.It is, therefore, suggested that the prevention tasks should recruit sports professionals to participate in anti-drug policies as well as to link up other professional experts to organize activities. Also, the physical education curriculum reform should be actively implemented to re-establish society’ s perception on sports and encourage research studies on different sports activities for mental, emotional treatment. It is hoped that the society can concentrate its effort to implement drug education effectively.