UNCLASSIFIED
3
6. The charge at Government out-patient clinics is HK$1 per visit.
In hospitals the charge is HK$5 per day. These charges are reduced
or waived in cases of hardship.
7. Drug abuse continues to be a major problem in Hong Kong with an
estimated 50,000 addicts, mostly on heroin. Drug addiction treat-
ment and detoxification centres cater for around 14,000 people at
any one time. Success rates have been encouraging, particularly in
the reduction in the number of young people taking to drugs.
Cocial Lecurity
8. Social security is provided through the public assistance scheme,
which provides assistance of HK1200 per month to people whose family
income falls below a specified level, with additional supplements
There
Flans
for those needing to draw assistance for extended periods.
are also welfare allowances for the elderly and disabled.
have now been announced to increase the payments and services pro-
vided for vulnerable groups.
the
9. In his speech at the opening of the Legislative Council,
Governor also announced the Government's intention of putting
forward proposals to provide coverage against extended sickness,
death and retirement, though no decisions have yet been reached on
the best method of achieving this.