Hong Kong Police Launches Anti-Drug Basketball Programme for Youths to Promote Healthy Living and Crime Prevention

JPC Anti-Narcotics and Fight Crime 3x3 Basketball Training Programme 2025 kicks off

The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) today (July 6) held the kick-off ceremony for the Junior Police Call (JPC) Anti-Narcotics and Fight Crime 3x3 Basketball Training Programme 2025. The year-long Programme, sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club, combines basketball training with anti-drug and crime prevention education. Through organising school seminars, basketball training and tournaments, volunteering service, as well as exchange tours in the Greater Bay Area, values of healthy life are promoted among the youth.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, said that the Programme, firstly launched last year, has achieved remarkable results in delivering crime prevention messages via sports training which is good for the physical and mental well-being. This year, the Programme will be extended to 66 secondary and primary schools across Hong Kong, with nearly 6 000 teachers and students participating.

Mr Chow stated that, it is hoped to convey three important messages to young people through the Programme: to firmly stay away from drugs, especially the recently emerging etomidate, and to strengthen the defence against drug; to establish and reinforce legal awareness and law-abiding behavior as well as safeguarding national security; and to foster correct values, cultivate a caring spirit and a sense of responsibility to contribute to the society. He sincerely thanked The Hong Kong Jockey Club, the Teens and Elderly Mission Committee, schools and community stakeholders for their support and participation.

From January to May this year, 83 youths were arrested for serious drug-related offences, marking a year-on-year increase of 40 per cent. On February 14 this year, the Government has listed etomidate and its three analogues (metomidate, propoxate and isopropoxate) as dangerous drugs. As at May 31, 94 individuals under the age of 21 (the youngest being 12) were arrested for offences related to “space oil drug”.

To promote anti-drug education, besides holding seminars, the Programme also arranges school visits by players from the Hong Kong A1 Division Championship basketball teams to provide professional coaching, aiming to help participants develop a healthy lifestyle and stay away from drugs. At the ceremony, students having joined the Programme last year shared that professional training enhanced their basketball skills and confidence. They also learnt about various scam tactics through the Programme and actively shared crime prevention tips with their families and friends.

JPC Anti-Narcotics and Fight Crime 3x3 Basketball Training Programme 2025 kicks off Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

JPC Anti-Narcotics and Fight Crime 3x3 Basketball Training Programme 2025 kicks off Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

JPC Anti-Narcotics and Fight Crime 3x3 Basketball Training Programme 2025 kicks off Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

JPC Anti-Narcotics and Fight Crime 3x3 Basketball Training Programme 2025 kicks off Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

JPC Anti-Narcotics and Fight Crime 3x3 Basketball Training Programme 2025 kicks off Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Enrolled Nurse (General) Training Programme for Welfare Sector 2026-27 invites applications

The Social Welfare Department (SWD) announced that the full-time Enrolled Nurse (General) Training Programme for the Welfare Sector 2026-27 is inviting applications starting today (January 12). The programme, which will last for two years, with a total of 427 places, aims to train students to become enrolled nurses to alleviate the shortage of nurses in the welfare sector and enhance the quality of care services.

In response to the keen demand for nurses in the welfare sector, the SWD has commissioned the Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Saint Francis University and the Tung Wah College to provide the Enrolled Nurse (General) Training Programme for the Welfare Sector for five consecutive years starting from the 2023-24 academic year.

An SWD spokesman said, "Applicants for the programme must be permanent Hong Kong residents with right of abode in Hong Kong and have attained the age of 18 by the time the training programme commences. They must also have attained Level2 or above in five subjects, including Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics and any two other subjects in Categories A (Note) and B, in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination; or an equivalent qualification. Applicants are also required to take note of other entry requirements as specified by respective training institutes."

The spokesman added, "To encourage young people and frontline staff currently serving the welfare sector to upgrade their professional skills, priority will be accorded to applicants who have successfully completed the two-year Diploma Programme and obtained the diploma under the Navigation Scheme for Young Persons in Care Services launched in 2015 (or under the First-hire-then-train Pilot Scheme from 2013 to 2016) by the SWD; or those who are currently working full-time in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or private organisations providing elderly, rehabilitation, family and child care, youth or correctional services. Individuals who aspire to pursue a career as enrolled nurses in the welfare sector are also welcome."

Tuition fees will be reimbursed to trainees in full on the condition that they have successfully completed the training programme and qualified to register as enrolled nurses within two years. Trainees will be required to sign an undertaking to work as an Enrolled Nurse (General) in NGOs or private organisations recognised by the SWD for providing elderly, rehabilitation, family and child care, or correctional services for a continuous period of no less than three years after completion of the training.

Information seminars on the training programme will be held by the three institutes starting from January. Details of the information seminars are set out in the table below:

Training institute

Date and time of information seminar

Website

Enquiry number

Hong Kong Metropolitan University

2pm,

January 27

Programme content (Chinese only)

www.hkmu.edu.hk/nhs/tc/programmes-courses/nursing-and-health-studies/sub-degree-programmes/hdngf1_hdngosf1/

Application

admissions.hkmu.edu.hk/ug/online-application

3970 2928 /

3970 2957

Saint Francis University

3pm, February 6

Programme content

www.sfu.edu.hk/en/programmes/sub-degree-programmes/higher-diploma-in-enrolled-nursing-general-hden-swd/introduction/index.html

Application

onlineapplication.sfu.edu.hk/oa/admission/hdenswdForm

3702 4388

Tung Wah College

3.30pm, January 28

Programme content

www.twc.edu.hk/en/Programmes/hdn_swd

Application

www.twc.edu.hk/admission/

3190 6672

Applications will be closed at 5pm on March 2. For enquiries, please call the enquiry numbers of the training institutes.

Note: "Attained" in Citizenship and Social Development will be accepted as Level 2.

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