CONFIDENTIAL #2
3
機密
(f)
g)
(h)
Because of the shortage of supply and the much higher risks confronting drug traffickers, the price of drugs had been soaring up. Reportedly, drug trafficking agencies were no longer willing to offer credit to buyers and demanded hard cash for every transaction.
This forced more drug addicts to resort to methadone treatment or to approach rehabilitation agencies for help.
However, drug trafficking still remained a highly. .·• lucrative operation and people were generally pessimistic about the prospects of total suppression of this vice. They were happy to see more effective enforcement action being taken and were hopeful that the problem could be effectively contained and gradually brought under control. They were under no illusions that the vice itself would still remain
a serious problem in Hong Kong for many years to
come.
Is drug addiction on the decline?
C.
(a)
Observers believed that the number of addicts has
declined, particularly amongst young persons and teenagens. The main reasons given were: (i)
Wider use of recreational facilities and
better use of leisure.
(ii) The impact of preventive education and
publicity increasing the general awareness of the harmful effects of addiction.
Reduction in supply and soaring prices. The setting up of out-patient Methadone
Detoxification Centres.
(iii) (iv)
(b) However, it was widely believed that many addicts
relapsed after treatment. It was difficult for
these victims to free themselves from their
environment and the undesirable contacts trying
to lure them back to addiction.
CONFIDENTIAL
/ (c) Middle
機密