Buffalo Bill
19th June 2009, 09:40 AM
Should the drug rehab school get the Mui Wo premises?
South China Morning Post
Jun 19, 2009
Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen made a rare intervention as he
called on the Mui Wo community to embrace young drug addicts into their
community ("Tsang weighs into row over rehab centre", June 16). Shame on
him.
The government's view that the vacant site in Mui Wo is the "best
relocation option" for the existing overcrowded rehabilitation centre
[Christian Zheng Sheng College] at Ha Keng represents another triumph of
amateurish decision-making over proper policymaking, planning and
attention to detail.
The emotional opposition by Lantau residents is understandable in view
of the government's failure to consult adequately and to engage in
competent, transparent decision-making. However, poor governance is not
the only reason. Lantau already houses five correctional institutions.
Do we really need more?
Representatives of the South Lantau community have repeatedly asked the
government:
* What are the specifications for a drug rehabilitation centre?
* Does the Mui Wo site fit the specifications?
* Why doesn't the government have a purpose-built facility constructed?
* What other sites have been investigated and why were they rejected?
* Why have other proposed uses for the Mui Wo site been rejected?
In most instances, no answers have been provided to these legitimate
questions.
When asked why drug-rehabilitation use was preferred over others (for
example, schooling), the government has talked about drugs being an
important area and arguing that the [Christian Zheng Sheng College] has
a good record in rehabilitation. No data or statistics have been
provided to back up these wishy-washy statements. This is arbitrary,
secretive decision-making at its worst.
Critical questions regarding the background of the charity that runs the
drug-rehabilitation centre, its provenance and funding also remain
unanswered.
Mui Wo has no secondary school. The school on the existing site was
closed on spurious grounds of "viability".
South Lantau needs an international secondary school and the subject
site can fill the need.
Meanwhile, the Planning Department proposes spending millions to give
Mui Wo a much-needed facelift and turn it in into a "dynamic tourist hub".
Quite how this is supposed to fit in with a plan to open a
drug-rehabilitation centre within this tourist hub is yet another
unanswered question.
Jonathan Collins, Lantau
I would support a new school for the Christian Zheng Sheng College
drug-rehabilitation centre wherever it is located. The college provides
essential services to young people who need help.
Surely, Mui Wo residents can see that this college benefits the whole
community. I would like to hear the views of our lawmaker and district
councillors on this subject.
Hung Wing-kee, Tuen Mun
The Christian Zheng Sheng College's plans to move into the vacant school
premises in the centre of Mui Wo have been opposed by local residents
and Islands district councillors.
They have expressed safety concerns and say such use of the premises
would not be compatible with the development of Mui Wo. I think this is
a selfish attitude. These critics are only focusing on their own
interests. What about the plight of these young addicts?
There is an urgent need for this college to expand. This is especially
important given the news reports about increasing use of illicit drugs
by young people. Therefore, the college must be allowed to expand. I
think, as an interim measure, the college should be allowed to use the
vacant premises.
I saw an RTHK programme on the rehabilitation centre, and its study and
living areas are really overcrowded.
However, in the longer term, the government should find suitable
premises for the centre in a quiet location away from the centre of Mui Wo.
The surrounding environment for a drug-rehabilitation centre is very
important. Part of the treatment for helping drug addicts involves
open-air activities and teaching self-discipline.
The Christian Zheng Sheng College performs an essential role in Hong
Kong. It provides an opportunity for rehabilitation for young people
addicted to drugs. It helps them get their lives back on track.
Therefore, the government and the public must show more support for
organisations like the Christian Zheng Sheng College.
Kwok Hon-lam, Kwai Chung
South China Morning Post
Jun 19, 2009
Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen made a rare intervention as he
called on the Mui Wo community to embrace young drug addicts into their
community ("Tsang weighs into row over rehab centre", June 16). Shame on
him.
The government's view that the vacant site in Mui Wo is the "best
relocation option" for the existing overcrowded rehabilitation centre
[Christian Zheng Sheng College] at Ha Keng represents another triumph of
amateurish decision-making over proper policymaking, planning and
attention to detail.
The emotional opposition by Lantau residents is understandable in view
of the government's failure to consult adequately and to engage in
competent, transparent decision-making. However, poor governance is not
the only reason. Lantau already houses five correctional institutions.
Do we really need more?
Representatives of the South Lantau community have repeatedly asked the
government:
* What are the specifications for a drug rehabilitation centre?
* Does the Mui Wo site fit the specifications?
* Why doesn't the government have a purpose-built facility constructed?
* What other sites have been investigated and why were they rejected?
* Why have other proposed uses for the Mui Wo site been rejected?
In most instances, no answers have been provided to these legitimate
questions.
When asked why drug-rehabilitation use was preferred over others (for
example, schooling), the government has talked about drugs being an
important area and arguing that the [Christian Zheng Sheng College] has
a good record in rehabilitation. No data or statistics have been
provided to back up these wishy-washy statements. This is arbitrary,
secretive decision-making at its worst.
Critical questions regarding the background of the charity that runs the
drug-rehabilitation centre, its provenance and funding also remain
unanswered.
Mui Wo has no secondary school. The school on the existing site was
closed on spurious grounds of "viability".
South Lantau needs an international secondary school and the subject
site can fill the need.
Meanwhile, the Planning Department proposes spending millions to give
Mui Wo a much-needed facelift and turn it in into a "dynamic tourist hub".
Quite how this is supposed to fit in with a plan to open a
drug-rehabilitation centre within this tourist hub is yet another
unanswered question.
Jonathan Collins, Lantau
I would support a new school for the Christian Zheng Sheng College
drug-rehabilitation centre wherever it is located. The college provides
essential services to young people who need help.
Surely, Mui Wo residents can see that this college benefits the whole
community. I would like to hear the views of our lawmaker and district
councillors on this subject.
Hung Wing-kee, Tuen Mun
The Christian Zheng Sheng College's plans to move into the vacant school
premises in the centre of Mui Wo have been opposed by local residents
and Islands district councillors.
They have expressed safety concerns and say such use of the premises
would not be compatible with the development of Mui Wo. I think this is
a selfish attitude. These critics are only focusing on their own
interests. What about the plight of these young addicts?
There is an urgent need for this college to expand. This is especially
important given the news reports about increasing use of illicit drugs
by young people. Therefore, the college must be allowed to expand. I
think, as an interim measure, the college should be allowed to use the
vacant premises.
I saw an RTHK programme on the rehabilitation centre, and its study and
living areas are really overcrowded.
However, in the longer term, the government should find suitable
premises for the centre in a quiet location away from the centre of Mui Wo.
The surrounding environment for a drug-rehabilitation centre is very
important. Part of the treatment for helping drug addicts involves
open-air activities and teaching self-discipline.
The Christian Zheng Sheng College performs an essential role in Hong
Kong. It provides an opportunity for rehabilitation for young people
addicted to drugs. It helps them get their lives back on track.
Therefore, the government and the public must show more support for
organisations like the Christian Zheng Sheng College.
Kwok Hon-lam, Kwai Chung