Chapter 3
Action Committee Against Narcotics
The Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN), a permanent non-statutory body set up in October 1964 and reconstituted in January 1974, consists of nine official and five unofficial members under the chairmanship of Dr. the Honour- able Sir Albert Rodrigues. On reconstitution, ACAN's terms of reference were strengthened, making it the sole advisory instrument of the Government on all policy matters relating to the eradication of drug trafficking and drug abuse. It also advises the Government, through the Secretary for Security and the Secretary for Social Services, on the allocation of resources in this field. Depart- mental plans, and those of voluntary agencies which receive subventions from the Government or from Government-controlled charities such as the Govern- ment Lottery Fund, are referred to ACAN for its consideration and recom- mendation.
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ACAN's terms of reference and membership are shown in Appendix 1. An organizational chart showing the division of responsibilities appears in Appendix 2.
Launching of the Methadone Detoxification Programme
3 One of the most important recommendations made by ACAN during the year resulted in the launching of an out-patient methadone detoxification pro- gramme on a massive scale, involving the opening of 16 detoxification centres throughout Hong Kong. The concept of this new form of treatment was sug- gested to the Government in 1975 by Dr. Robert Newman of New York in the course of a report on Hong Kong's treatment and rehabilitation programmes made to the Medical and Health Department, following his 3 months residential consultancy. As a result it was agreed that one experimental methadone detoxification centre should be opened in 1976 and that thereafter, more centres should be opened at stages in the light of experience and need. However, effec- tive law enforcement action curtailed the supply of illicit drugs so severely and caused prices to rise so high in the first half of 1976 that ACAN considered it essential for the methadone detoxification programme to be introduced immediately on a large scale. The result was the opening of 16 out-patient detoxification centres by the Medical and Health Department over a period of four months, starting in June. A detailed description of the centres is at Chapter 10.
Control of psychotropic substances
4 Another significant development during the year involved the control of psychotropic substances (commonly, and less accurately, known as synthetic drugs, factory-made drugs or soft drugs). At present, control of most psycho- tropic substances is exercised under the provisions of the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, which provides a maximum penalty of only 12 months imprisonment and a fine of $10,000. After debating the issue ACAN considered that, whilst the abuse of psychotropic substances in Hong Kong bears no relation to the
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abuse of opiate drugs, timely preventive measures should not be overlooked. In addition, tighter control of such drugs could be expected to have a "spin-off” advantage in deterring their export to other countries.
5 CCAN's recommendation, the Government decided to include amphet- amines and methaqualone in the list of substances subject to control under the Dangerous Ordinance, which provides a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of $5 millions. This amendment to the law came into force in early 1977.
Working Party on the Review of Anti-narcotics Legislation
6 In addition to strengthening the control of psychotropic substances, it was also felt necessary to undertake a comprehensive review of all current anti- narcotics laws. Towards the end of the year, a working party was therefore set up, under the chairmanship of the Commissioner for Narcotics and includ- ing representatives from the Legal Department, the Police Force, Medical and Health Department and the Preventive Service. Its recommendations will be submitted to ACAN for consideration.
A new strategy for preventive education and publicity
7 In order to enhance the cost-effectiveness of its preventive education and publicity programmes against drug abuse, the Preventive Education and Publicity Sub-committee of ACAN formulated a new strategy during the year. The strategy, which was endorsed by ACAN in August 1976, has four policy objectives-
(a) to keep the drug abuse issue constantly before the Hong Kong public, to change their attitude to it, and to enlist their active sympathy and support for the Government's efforts to deal with it;
(b) to prevent drug abuse among young people and particularly those held
to be at greatest risk of becoming addicts;
(c) to inform existing drug addicts of the voluntary treatment and rehabilitation facilities available, and to encourage them to come forward for treat- ment; and
(d) to inform the international audience of Hong Kong's achievements and intentions in the anti-narcotics field, and to encourage greater co-operation from countries whose problems are similar to, or linked with, its own. More details are given in Chapter 13.
Central Registry of Drug Addicts
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In August ACAN considered and recommended acceptance of a plan for a major re-organization of the Central Registry of Drug Addicts. The plan, proposed by Mr. Bent Werbell, Project Manager of the New York City Depart- ment of Health who spent 3 months in Hong Kong as a specialist consultant to the Government, involves changes in the objectives, organization and opera- tion of the Registry. A full description of the plan is given in Chapter 16.
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