Organisations and individuals are invited to apply for Beat Drugs Fund grants from November 1 to December 29. The fund subsidises projects to fight drug abuse and enlist community support.

For the 2007-08 funding exercise, proposals in line with the 4th Three-year Plan on Drug Treatment & Rehabilitation Services in Hong Kong (2006-2008), and projects encouraging occasional or experimental drug abusers to seek treatment, will be given priority consideration.

On the research front, longitudinal studies on psychotropic substance abusers will be given priority consideration. Partnerships between tertiary institutions and non-government organisations through joint drug-related research projects are also encouraged.

Priority consideration will also be given to drug education projects targeting children or parents, and those that help curb cross-boundary substance abuse.

Grants disbursed by the fund will normally not exceed $3 million. The funding period will normally not exceed two years, except for projects that are regarded as exceptionally innovative, in which case the maximum grant can go up to $5 million and funding duration can last up to three years.

Application forms and guides are available on the Narcotics Division website. Enquiries are can be made on 2867 2737 or 2867 2286; by fax on 2810 1790; or by emailing sbeon4@sb.gov.hk.