The Judiciary Police (PJ) launched a week-long youth drug abuse prevention campaign yesterday, with the aim of deepening drug awareness among young people and curbing youth involvement in drug-related crime at its source.
The campaign targets residential communities, areas surrounding school campuses, and popular youth hangouts across the peninsula and Taipa, including the Toi San, Patane, and Ilha Verde districts.
Speaking on the sidelines of yesterday’s event at the Qingmao checkpoint, Cheong Kim Fong, a senior officer in the PJ Youth Concern Section, told reporters that the initiative features on-site patrols paired with interactive, face-to-face sessions to engage directly with young people. Cheong added that PJ officers are partnering with student trainees from their “Community Safety Youth Leader Programme” and “Youth Crime Fighter Programme” to educate the public on common tactics used in drug offences and telecommunication fraud, while equipping youth with actionable prevention strategies.
Cheong underscored that increased leisure time and frequent social gatherings during the summer break significantly raise the risk of youngsters being enticed into drug abuse or illicit activities. To counter this, officers and student trainees are distributing anti-drug and anti-scam leaflets alongside promotional gifts along their patrol routes.
Cheong urged young people to exercise extreme caution at social events and avoid trying unknown substances out of curiosity. He advised young people to firmly refuse any drinks, snacks, or e-cigarettes offered by strangers, adding that if drug-related activities are suspected, they should prioritise their personal safety and immediately report the matter to the police.
Under Macau’s latest Tobacco Control Act, e-cigarettes are classified as controlled items, making public possession illegal. Cheong noted that information regarding e-cigarette regulations and risks has been fully integrated into all standard anti-drug education efforts. Authorities will continue a dual approach of strict enforcement and public education to raise awareness among students regarding the illegality of e-cigarettes and the dangers of drug-laced e-liquids, he added.
