20.
Conclusions
48.
It will be apparent from the substance of this paper that Hong Kong is faced with an illicit import problem of major proportions in respect of raw opium and morphine base which is both complex and intractable. Given the optimum conditions it is going to be an extremely difficult task to master it, but mastered it must be if the Colony is to escape from the endless treadmill it has been turning since World War II and make real and constructive progress towards interdicting illicit trafficking and ridding Hong Kong of drug addiction. To do this Hong Kong must abandon the inward looking policy which up to now lias characterised its approach to this problem. It can only be doomed to failure and has been totally unsuccessful in making any perceptible inroads into the illicit traffic over a period approaching three decades, Hong Kong has got to turn outwards to the countries which are the producers of opium and the sources of supply of the raw materials, for it is in those places, and in those places alone, that the problem can be solved. This implies British diplomatic activity supported by action on the ground along the lines suggested in this paper.
There is no single solution taken by itself which is going to stop illicit trafficking whether it is taken overseas or locally in Hong Kong. The problem must be tackled with the greatest imagination and vigour on every possible front simul- taneously, together with curbing opium production, for only in this way can it be defeated. The road will be long and uphill, but the time is ripe to get started.
Summary of Recommendations
49.
The paper makes recommendations for the consideration of the United Kingdom Government as set out below. of course,
These recommendations, are not intended to imply criticism of Her Majesty's Government. The Hong Kong Government would gladly consider any alternative proposals, including, for instance, contributions in cash, personnel and expertise, if these would facilitate the implementation of any of the following proposals :-
(a) Use every suitable opportunity within the framework
of the United Nations to take an initiative in the field of dangerous drugs in a Far Eastern context. (Paragraph 29.)
(b) Make an approach to the Government of Burma to express concern about the extensivo illicit cultivation of opium in that country and the clandestine trafficking of opium and its derivatives across its frontier into Thailand and Laos. Burma should be urged to accept the assistance of the United Nations and other countries to solve its narcotics problems. (Paragraphs 11 to 15, 29 and 30.)
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