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APPENDIX B'
time on their hands, to the bar girl, dance hostess sorority on the other who abuse these drugs to ease the tensions inherent in employment in a more seedy side of the entertainment industry. There are of course a good number of others who fall into neither of these categories. The danger with barbiturates is that they are physically addictive with a considerable degree of psycholo- gical dependence and tolerance develops with regular use. When barbiturates are taken in combination with heroin, alcohol or
stimulants, either singly or severally and such cases are by
no means unknown in Hong Kong then there is a grave risk that
death will result.
13
A credible case cannot be established to release from
control those barbiturate drugs which are now subject to restriction under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, Cap 138.
Indeed, at the present time the emphasis is all the other way.
The Deterrents Sub-Committee of A.C.A.N. is currently considering
ways to improve control over the sale and distribution of
barbiturate drugs in Hong Kong in order to prevent their
continued abuse. In this connection note is being taken of the
1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. It is considered
that the Colony should adhere to the provisions of this Convention
in regard to matters of internal control even though the United
Kingdom has not ratified its signature up to the present time so
far as is known.
14.
It is not proposed to give any consideration as to
whether the consumption of hallucinogens for pleasure should be legalised since the abuse of these drugs (L.S.D. and the like) is so obviously injurious and bad that no useful purpose would be served by doing so. In any case to remove these drugs from control would be quite contrary to the letter and the spirit of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances to which the United Kingdom is a signatory. It is pleasing to be able to
CONFIDENTIAL
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