G. F. 323
0003230
CONFIDENTIAL
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13 -
機密
Department. A sketch of what has gone before regarding research and the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts is contained in paragraphs 16 and 17 of this paper with some observations about the situation at present and the direction towards which treatment and rehabilitation should move in the future at paragraphs 22 to 24. The treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts with its essential closely allied research facility is a very complex and difficult aspect of medical, psychological and social therapy. It is also extremely expensive with a discouragingly high relapse rate, although Hong Kong compares favourably by world standards and better than most. It is estimated that it costs S.A.R.D.A. about HK$13,000 or more than £1,000 Sterling to put one client through its programme from start to finish - and at the end of it all the chances today
From this it favour relapse rather than continued abstinence. follows that tackling the physical and psychological withdrawal from their drug dependence of the Colony's many thousands of addicts with all that it entails is going to have to be conducted in the years ahead on a strictly professional basis with the highest attention paid to efficacy and cost effectiveness.
This is not
a matter which can be left any longer to the devoted but to some extent unco-ordinated efforts of the Prisons Dep rtment, S.A.R.D.A.,
It is the D.P.A.S., voluntary organisations and private persons. submitted that responsibility must rest firmly with the Medical and Health Department to deal with the problem in all its aspects on a Colunywide basis. It follows that the Medical and Health Department must be equipped to develop the necessary knowledge
and expertise.
33.
The size and composition of this new Division will be a matter for the Director of Medical and Health Services to determine, but it is suggested that the head of it should be of Specialist rank. The Division will be responsible for :-
(a) acting in accordance with the decisions reached
by ...C...N.
(b) developing programmes and projects for consideration
of .C...N.
CONFIDENTIAL
機密