HKFYG launches collaboration with Hospital Authority at Youth Wellness Centre for the addiction-prone With the sponsorship of the Fu Tak Iam Foundation, the centre will deal with five most problematic addictive behaviours experienced by our teenagers. Compulsive internet use, drug addiction, alcoholism, gambling and smoking in youth will be assessed. Then, appropriate counselling and treatment will be given by a multi-disciplinary team including psychiatrists, social workers and professionals in psychiatric nursing and clinical psychology. The centre also has educational and research functions which make it the first wholly integrated service in the field. It has been established in response to worrying trends in youth addiction. In 2010 HKFYG's Be NetWise survey revealed that over 11% of 10-17 year-olds had symptoms of internet addiction. In 2009, the Hong Kong Narcotics Division reported 28% of first-time drug-takers were aged 13-14 and 24% were aged 15-16. The Hong Kong Census & Statistics Department reported 10,000 smokers aged 15-19 in 2008 and a Chinese University survey shows 54% of addicted gamblers are under 20. This initiative seeks to nip addiction in the bud and to treat bad habits that can ruin a youngster for life. The centre's hotline is 2465 2828. Click here for more information. Sources Be NetWise survey http://www.nd.gov.hk/text/tc/stat/c_statistics_list.htm http://www.info.gov.hk/digital21/chi/statistics/download/ householdreport2008-36.pdf http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/cpr/pressrelease/060816c.htm Events Financial Secretary, Mr John Tsang offers comic book preview to students at HKFYG's LOHAS Youth SPOT Mr John Tsang, the Financial Secretary, visited HKFYG's LOHAS Youth SPOT in Tseung Kwan O yesterday and gave local students a preview of the latest in a series of comic books about government budgeting. Again this year the book features a main cartoon character called Yat. He's a typical Hong Kong student, just out of university with all the usual work and relationship problems but he believes in miracles and is convinced he can overcome all hurdles with faith, family and friends. This popular book comes in the run-up to the budget speech next month and aims to raise awareness of budget issues and encourage youth to speak up during consultations. Seminar on dyslexia at newly opened HKFYG Jockey Club Student Support Centre This Saturday, 8 January, after the opening of the new HKFYG Jockey Club Student Support Centre in Tai Kok Tsui, there will be a seminar for primary and secondary school teachers on the topic of dyslexia. It will take place in the auditorium of the HKFYG Building in North Point. The confirmed speakers are Ms Tsang Suk-man, Educational Psychologist at the HKSAR's Education Bureau, Dr Terry Ng of the Way to Grow Centre and Dr Ho Fuk-Chuen, Deputy Director of the Centre for Special Needs and Studies in Inclusive Education. For more information call 3422 3161 or email ssc@hkfyg.org.hk.   Many thanks to partners My Vision of Equal Opportunities Photo competition with Equal Opportunities Commission HKFYG's uChannel is co-organizing this competition for amateur photographers with the Equal Opportunities Commission plus support from RTHK. The subject of photos in the competition will be gender equality, including reduction of gender stereotyping of family members, integration of minority groups, and community recognition and facilities for people with disabilities. There are two divisions, for 18 years and under; and an open division for 19 years+. The deadline for entries is 7 February. Enquiry hotline open now, tel 2511 8211 or visit www.eoc.org.hk and www.uchannel.hk for full details. Project recognizing supreme gift of life supported by Board of Management of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries The Federation's Jockey Club Shaukiwan Youth SPOT has received a donation of over HK$76,000 from the Board of Management of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries for a project called "生有限、活無限". It encourages young people to recognize the high value of the gift of life. Participants will produce a play to perform on stage in public and there will be a ceremony on 18 January 2011 in Y-studio at Youth Square to acknowledge the donation with thanks. For more information please contact Mandy, tel 2885 9353. Major activities underway with VNET's Project Vday 2010 including help for the elderly at Chinese New Year About 500 young volunteers are visiting senior citizens this Chinese New Year, taking gifts and helping them to spruce up their homes, thanks to the donations of many kind partners in the Federation's Heart to Heart Project. Click here to see all their names. Project Vday continues till April. Watch this space or call Doris, tel 2169 0032, for further details. News New 2011 prospectus of popular courses at HKFYG Continuous Learning Centre The Continuous Learning Centre (CLC) on the 1/F of HKFYG's headquarters building in North Point has just issued its new prospectus for 2011. It includes all current courses, including popular ones on mediation, Chinese medicine, speech therapy and rehabilitation. Details of all course schedules, fees and syllabus are available from CLC now. Download registration forms at clc.hkfyg.org.hk. Confirmation of enrollment will be sent on receipt of fees. For more information, please visit: clc.hkfyg.org.hk or call Rex tel 3755 7028 Hong Kong Melody Makers invited to perform at pop concert in Hong Kong Cultural Centre this month Music Anytime Anywhere, the pop concert being staged at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall on 21 and 22 January, will feature the all-male ensemble Potenza from the HKFYG Hong Kong Melody Makers. They are performing with singer-songwriter and dancer-choreographer Jonathan Wong, accompanied by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and the City Contemporary Dance Company. Tickets at $200, $300 and $380 from Urbtix now, www.urbtix.hk; credit card booking hotline, tel 2111 5999. Call Kenneth 3755 7070 for more information.