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HEALTH
The Police Force and the Customs and Excise Department seized some 400 kilograms of No. 3 heroin and 600 kilograms of No. 4 heroin during the year. This included a single seizure of 420 kilograms of No. 4 heroin in Sai Kung in September 1989, the largest haul in Hong Kong, and the second largest in the world. The seizure of 450 kilograms of cannabis during the year was the highest since 1971. As a result of joint operations with overseas law enforcement agencies, a number of international drug trafficking syndicates were neutralised with substantial quantities of dangerous drugs seized and a number of ring- leaders arrested locally and abroad. During the year, police and customs action resulted in over 10 000 prosecutions for drug offences.
Treatment and Rehabilitation
The voluntary methadone treatment programme operated by the Department of Health provides both maintenance and detoxification for out-patients. Methadone maintenance is designed to prevent an addict's return to heroin or other illicit drugs, while the detoxification programme aims to eliminate dependence on any drug. The programme has proved to be very effective in serving both the addicts and the community. There are 25 methadone clinics.
The largest voluntary in-patient treatment programme is run by SARDA. The society operates three in-patient treatment centres, one for men on the island of Shek Kwu Chau with a capacity for 500 patients, and the others for women at Sha Tin. Linked to these centres are three intake units, five regional social service centres, six halfway houses, an employment placement office and a clinic which provides pre-admission medical examination and methadone treatment, urine analysis and post-discharge medical care.
A compulsory treatment programme is operated by the Correctional Services Depart- ment under the Drug Addiction Treatment Centres Ordinance. The department runs two addiction treatment centres, one for males on the island of Hei Ling Chau and the other for females in Tai Lam Chung. The former has capacity for 938 and the latter 80. These treatment programmes range from two to 12 months, the actual period being determined by the inmate's progress and the likelihood of continued abstinence from drugs following release. All persons discharged are given one year of statutory after-care.
In 1989, the two voluntary treatment programmes and the Correctional Services Department's compulsory treatment programme admitted 12 500 addicts. On average, 13 000 addicts and ex-addicts were receiving some form of treatment, rehabilitation and after-care every day.
The pilot counselling centre, PS 33, set up in Tsim Sha Tsui in April 1988 to provide counselling and telephone advice for psychotropic substance abusers, handled 100 cases and 1 200 telephone enquiries since its inception. PS 33 is operated by the Hong Kong Christian Service with financial support from the Lotteries Fund.
Preventive Education and Publicity
The government and the community continued their efforts in anti-narcotics preventive education and publicity. The main thrust of the publicity campaign in 1989 was to warn the younger generation about the injurious effects of using psychotropic substances, particularly cannabis, and to involve parents.
Five district campaigns were held to encourage community involvement through carnivals, variety shows, camps, exhibitions, and visits to drug treatment centres. Beach pop concerts were held at Butterfly and Shek O beaches in August.
The major event of the year was the Road To A Happy Life programme held in October. This comprised a series of anti-drug events including a family camp at Lei Yue Mun Park