CONFIDENTIAL
HKK 385/2
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY MO. 51 MOOD
2 7 JUN 1978
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
MOOD
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HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
Fol. (35)
19th June 1978
(MOVEMENT OF OPINION DIRECTION)
Action Letter
MOOD,is written for senior officers who are familiar with the general background of life in Hong Kong, who trave experience of contact with the public themselves, and who are familiar with up-to-date news of Government interest. Its objectives remain a sounding of public opinion and an assessment of public reactions, attitudes and feelings in appropriate instances. Heads of Departments are asked to ensure that their copies of MOOD are circulated selectively and stored securely at all times.
The drug problem: public impressions and attitudes
(2,265 respondents)
A.
B..
Introduction
(a) This exercise was carried out at the request of the
Commissioner for Narcotics. Care was taken by the staff to be discreet, tactful and circumspect in sounding out HAD contacts on sensitive points e.g. the availability of supply of heroin, activities of drug traffickers,etc.
(b) Respondents contacted came from various walks of
life, many of them living in the more shabby
parts of town, e.g. coolies, hawkers, construction site labourers and fruit laan operatives.
(c) Respondents were on the whole forthcoming and frank.
Liaison staff did not experience as much difficulty in this exercise as they first expected.
Availability of dangerous drugs
(a) It was widely believed that the supply of dangerous drugs had DEFINITELY grown scarce compared with the situation, say, five years ago.
(b) Widely reported major seizures of drugs, the crushing
of drug trafficking syndicates and the arrests of ring leaders together achieved a significant impact on the public mind that the Government's enforcement efforts had become more effective.
CONFIDENTIAL
/ (c) It
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