value, but it was appreciated that there would be many difficulties to be overcome in organising such a meeting. The US undertook to give further consideration to the matter.
6. The Control of Acetic Anhydride
Consideration was given to the question of encouraging other countries in SE Asia to follow the example of Hong Kong and control the possession of and trafficking in acetic anhydride. It was reported that the issue had been raised in Thailand and this would be pursued. The matter was noted for consideration at the meeting of the opera- tional heads of narcotic enforcement agencies in SE Asia. As the question had been aired at the meeting of the UN Narcotics Commission in February and had not been generally supported, there would be little point in attempting to raise it there again.
7.
Scientific Aids for Detecting the Processing, Importation and Exportation of Morphine and Heroin
It was reported that following the consideration that had been given to this question at the previous conferences, negotiations in the UK with the Plessey Co were now at the point where the Company were prepared to mount a feasibility study of aid to detecting heroin manufacture. The UK delegation undertook to arrange for the delegates from SE Asia to meet the UK scientists involved. It was also reported that there had been new developments in tracking devices on the US side.
8.
The Application of Heroin Signature Analyses to Law Enforcement in SE Asia
The DEA agreed to send details of the heroin signature analysis programme to Hong Kong for consideration of its application to law enforcement efforts in that area. The report of the 1974 programme
was circulated.
9.
Training of Enforcement Officers in Hong Kong
Hong Kong offered to organise courses to train enforcement officers from elsewhere with the particular aim of assisting them in their dealings with the Chinese and knowledge of the language.
It was pointed out that so far as the UK was concerned this suggestion had been considered previously and, while it had been accepted in prin- ciple, it was felt that there was no call for these facilities at the present time for junior officers. Middle and senior management would, however, probably benefit considerably from closer contact with Hong Kong and this would be followed up, although action might have to await improvement in the financial climate. The US indi- cated that they would welcome the help of law enforcement officers from Hong Kong. It was agreed that this matter could be pursued at the meeting of the SE Asian heads of law enforcement agencies. The DEA already offered training programmes for local enforcement agencies in the countries where they operated.
10. The Standardisation of Heroin Nomenclature
The DEA and Interpol agreed to discuss the production of a joint publication standardising the nomenclature relating to all drugs of misuse, but with particular reference to heroin.
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