IN CONFIDENCE
Benzodiazepines
25. The common benzodiazepines, Valium, Mogadon and Librium, are controlled in Hong Kong by the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance and a doctor's prescription is required when obtaining the drugs from pharmacies. Although the abuse of benzodiazepines cannot be ruled out, there was no indication of widespread abuse during 1985. Substantial quantities were seized from unlicensed doctors and pharmacies but it is believed that they were intended for use as part of a 'legitimate' medical treatment.
Opiate Withdrawal Alleviants
26. Methadone in the form of Physeptone tablets are known to have been prescribed by irresponsible private medical practitioners and there have been indicates of subsequent trafficking in these tablets by heroin addicts. Dipipanone and Pentazocine are less commonly obtained and the use of Tilidate has virtually ceased. These drugs are controlled by the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance and there is no apparent diversion of these drugs from licit sources; rather irresponsible prescribing by a few medical practitioners.
PRICES-GENERAL
27. The following table shows the price of illicit drugs on the wholesale and retail market on 31 December 1985 as compared with prices at the same time in 1983 and 1984:-
Wholesale
28.
Opium (Raw) Heroin Base
No. 3 heroin
No. 4 heroin
Cannabis (herbal)
Retail
29.
No. 3 heroin
Opium
Cannabis
83 (per kg)
84 (per kg)
85 (per kg)
21,100
12,700
7,407
55,000
56,650
115,400
23.100
18,950
26,260
188,460
18,700
15,900
83 (per kg)
84 (per kg)
85 (per kg)
75.6
98.6
93
30
45
30
45
45
55
30. The prices of narcotic analgesics such as dipipanone hydrochloride (Wellcome F3A) and non-narcotic analgeics such as tilidate (Tilidine) which are abused by heroin addicts, remained relatively stable throughout the year, when Wellcome F3A sold for between $5 to $6 per tablet and Tilidine for $0.7 per tablet. Likewise there was little change in the retail price of depressant drugs such as methaqualone, which sold for $7 and $8 per tablet, and herbal cannabis prices remained at around $45. per gram.
PROSECUTIONS
31. During 1985, prosecutions for drug related offences rose by 10.9% compared with 1984. A total of 12 432 persons were prosecuted compared with 11 206 in 1984. Of these, 4 867 were prosecuted for major narcotics offences including importing, exporting, manufacturing, trafficking in or possession for unlawful trafficking in dangerous drugs. The involvement of persons under the age of 21 years in narcotics offences remained at a disturbing level during 1985 accounting for 1 191, or 9.6%, of all persons prosecuted for drug related offences in 1985. This compares with 1080 young persons prosecuted in 1984 and 1 222 in 1983.
TRAFFICKING ROUTES
32. Trafficking routes changed little during the year. The most prolific route for the importation of heroin base remained the Thai trawler traffic although the use of diversionary routes by air couriers,
IN CONFIDENCE
4