Safety strategy: Police Director of Operations Henrique Koo and Director of Crime & Security Lee Ka-chiu explain the crime situation in the first half of the year.

Public participation is essential in the fight against drug problems, Police Director of Crime & Security Lee Ka-chiu says, adding Police have enhanced enforcement action and co-operation with schools.

Speaking on radio talk shows this morning Mr Lee said Police have bolstered intelligence exchange with overseas enforcement agencies to stop drugs from being trafficked into Hong Kong.

During the first six months of this year the joint operations conducted by Police and its overseas counterparts successfully detected eight transnational drug trafficking cases, seizing 300kg of drugs. Among the cases, three targeted the Hong Kong market.

Officers have also stepped up checks at drug blackspots and 2,400 operations were conducted in the January-June period.

To help parents and youngsters better understand the issue Police have organised school-level talks and family education programmes. The number of school liaison officers have grown to 85 to enhance Police ties with schools.

Some Catholic schools have reservations about voluntary drug testing of students. Mr Lee respected individual schools' decisions, adding drug testing is one of the many means to tackle drug problems.

In response to the trend of 'compensated dating', he said there is no evidence such activities are organised and controlled by syndicates. However, Police will enhance intelligence on the matter.

On road safety Police Director of Operations Henrique Koo said traffic accidents involving minibuses dropped 1.4% to 548 in the first half of 2009.