Postscript
When this Report was being compiled early in 1977, a number of new develop- ments occurred which were of significance to Hong Kong's anti-narcotics operations. These will be fully reported in the Narcotics Report for 1977, but brief details are given in the following paragraphs.
Visit of Mr. A. A. M. Van Agt
2 In January 1977, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice of the Netherlands, Mr. A. A. M. Van Agt, visited Thailand, which is the primary transit area for Golden Triangle heroin on its way to Europe. En route to Thailand, Mr. Van Agt stopped over in Hong Kong for five days and had discussions with high-ranking government officials on subjects of mutual interest, including international co-operation in the anti-narcotics field, and illegal immigrants from Southeast Asia (including Hong Kong) in Holland. He was accompanied by the Director-General of Police in the Ministry of Justice at the Hague, Dr. A. J. Fonteijn, during the visit. This is the first time that a cabinet-level minister, charged with anti-narcotics responsibilities, has visited Southeast Asia from Europe; it is clearly a significant milestone in international concern with the spreading cancer of heroin trafficking and addiction. Mr. Van Agt's visit resulted in the posting of a Netherlands narcotics law enforcement officer to Bangkok with the approval of the Thai Government.
Tighter control of amphetamines and methaqualone
3 Also in January, the Government announced, with immediate effect, the inclusion of amphetamines (stimulants) and methaqualone (a tranquilizer) in the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. This was a first step to tighten the control of psychotropic substances in Hong Kong as a precautionary measure against their abuse. Under the control of the ordinance, penalties for serious offences involving amphetamines and methaqualone will be comparable to those involv- ing heroin and opium, i.e. a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of up to $5 millions. (See Chapter 4.)
Pilot scheme of acupuncture with electro-stimulation
4
Sponsorship of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) of the United States was officially obtained in early 1977 for a pioneer out-patient pilot project for addicts, using acupuncture with electro-stimulation, to be carried out by the Hong Kong Government. NIDA undertook to provide a sum of US$99,500 to finance the project initially for 12 months. The Hong Kong Government will continue the scheme independently, if necessary, for a further year. It is expected that the scheme will begin in the latter half of 1977, with the opening of an out-patient clinic for this new form of treatment at the Tung Wah Hospital on Hong Kong Island. (See Chapter 17.)
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Terms of Reference
APPENDIX 1
(Chapter 3)
ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS
1. To advise the Governor on the policies to be adopted to interdict the illicit traffic in dangerous drugs into and through Hong Kong and to keep these policies under regular review.
2. To advise the Governor on the measures necessary to eradicate drug abuse from the
community.
3. To these ends to be the channel for advice to the Governor on the appropriate allocation
of resources to ensure the implementation of Government's policies.
4. To ensure co-ordination and co-operation between Government departments and voluntary agencies in Hong Kong working towards the implementation of these policies and to enlist public support for them.
5. To keep under review programmes and projects being undertaken by Government and voluntary agencies directed at implementing Government's policies to ensure that they are effective.
6. To draw the attention of the Government to those policies, programmes, projects, laws and procedures which in the opinion of the Committee should be changed in order to implement Government's policies more effectively.
7. To advise on any matter referred to it by the Government, or from any other appropriate source, which may be concerned either directly or indirectly with the implementation of Government's policies.
Membership
1. Dr. the Hon. Sir Albert Rodrigues, C.B.E., LL.D. J.P.—Chairman
Ex-officio Members
2. Secretary for Security
(Hon. L. M. Davies, C.M.G., O.B.E., J.P.)
3. Director, Medical and Health Services
(Dr. the Hon. K. L. Thong, J.P.)
4. Commissioner of Preventive Service (now re-named as Commissioner of Customs and Excise)
(Hon. D. H. Jordan, C.M.G., M.B.E., J.P.)
5. Commissioner of Police
(Mr. B. F. Slevin, C.M.G., O.B.E., Q.P.M., C.P.M., J.P.)
6. Director of Social Welfare
(Hon. Thomas C. Y. Lee, C.B.E., J.P.)
7. Commissioner of Prisons
(Mr. T. G. Garner, C.B.E., J.P.)
8. Commissioner for Narcotics
(Mr. E. I. Lee, O.B.E., J.P.)
9.
Representative of Finance Branch, Government Secretariat
(Mr. W. M. Bradley)
10.
Representative of Social Services Branch, Government Secretariat
(Mrs. Anson Chan, J.P.)
Unofficial Members
One Unofficial Member of Legislative Council:
11. Hon. Mrs. C. J. Symons, O.B.E., J.P.
Four Unofficials appointed by H. E. the Governor :
12. Rev. K. L. Stumpf, O.B.E.
13. Mr. Brook Bernacchi, O.B.E., Q.C., J.P.
14. Mr. Hui Yin-fat
15. Mr. Ho Sai-chu, M.BE, IP.
Secretary: Mr. Chan Kin-ming
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