FOREWORD
By
Dr. the Hon. Sir Albert Rodrigues, C.B.E., LL.D., J.P.
This report is the first to be produced in calendar year form. It records develop- ments in Hong Kong's anti-narcotics programmes which are not only significant in themselves, but which also illustrate the rationale underlying all our efforts. This, in brief, is to examine all aspects of drug trafficking and addiction, not in isolation, to be dealt with by the relevant experts in treatment, law enforcement or preventive education, but as inter-linked problems, to which solutions must be found on a coordinated, cooperative basis.
Thus, during the year, our law enforcement agencies succeeded in so restricting illegal drug supplies and in raising the traffickers outlays, that drug prices were driven to an all-time high. In anticipation of the need for treatment facilities, adequate in numbers and in accessible locations, to which addicts who were no longer able to afford their habit, could turn for relief, the Government opened sixteen methadone detoxification clinics. This development was accompanied by a major publicity campaign in all the media, to explain the purpose of the new clinics, where they could be found, and how the treatment worked and could help those in need.
The year also saw major advances in our thinking and efforts on prevention, education and publicity. A new strategy in this field was approved by the Action Committee Against Narcotics, specifying the four main target audiences, and the means by which they should be reached. A Senior Information Officer was posted to the Narcotics Division of the Government Secretariat, to supervise the new plans, and considerably increased funds were allocated for implementation.
Significant, too, for our future efforts, was the reorganization in 1976 of our Central Registry of Drug Addicts. The new system, the result of a 4-months study by a visiting expert, will facilitate the computerisation of all addict statistics, and will give us a valuable tool for the evaluation of addiction trends and for the formulation of overall policy.
Internationally, the alarming spread of drug abuse has resulted in an increasing willingness on the part of governments to collaborate with those whose narcotics problems are similar to, or linked with, their own. Hong Kong has continued its policy of full cooperation with the U.N. and its agencies, the Colombo Plan, and with governments in Asia, Europe and North America, with, we believe, mutually beneficial results.
In short, the past year has witnessed an increasing momentum in the develop- ment and execution of our anti-narcotics policies in all areas. Encouraging as this is to all of us who are engaged in our various programmes, we cannot be in any way satisfied whilst there are still tens of thousands of addicts in our midst, or the criminal and corrupt ones who feed on them. There is still a long road ahead of us.
Am Porns
Chairman
Action Committee Against Narcotics
Chapter
General Review
1 Review of the Year
2 Drug Abuse in Hong Kong.
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Contents
Page
in 00
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8
Policy-making, Co-ordination and Legislation The Action Committee Against Narcotics
10
12
4 Anti-narcotics Laws in Hong Kong
Law Enforcement
5 Anti-drug Law Enforcement in Hong Kong.
Illicit Trafficking of Drugs into Hong Kong
6
7 Clandestine Manufacture of Heroin
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Internal Distribution of Illicit Drugs
9 Illicit Export of Drugs from Hong Kong
Treatment and Rehabilitation
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17
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10 Out-patient Methadone Detoxification and Methadone Maintenance 24
Compulsory Treatment and Rehabilitation.
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12
Voluntary In-patient Treatment and Rehabilitation
Preventive Education and Publicity
13 A New Strategy for Preventive Education and Publicity
International Action
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15
The Golden Triangle-The Source of Hong Kong's Illicit Drugs. Hong Kong's Role on the International Front
Research
16 Central Registry of Drug Addicts.
17 Research on the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Drug Addicts.
Postscript
Appendices
Illustrations
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49-55
57-66
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