HEALTH
suspected forged commodities for identification, gold and platinum articles for fineness determination, and jade suspected of being resin-impregnated for differentiation.
The laboratory also provided analytical and advisory services to the Fire Services Department, in relation to the storage, carriage and classification of dangerous goods. A round-the-clock service was available to assist fire services personnel at scenes of emergencies involving hazardous chemicals.
Drug Abuse and Trafficking
The government's policy is to stop the illicit trafficking of drugs into and through Hong Kong; to develop a comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation programme for drug abusers; and to dissuade people, particularly young people, from experimenting with drugs, to eradicate drug abuse from the community.
Data collected by the government's Central Registry of Drug Abuse in 1993, based on 36 000 reports on 17 000 persons, indicated that 91 per cent of drug abusers were male and nine per cent female. Fifty-nine per cent of the reported individuals were aged over 30 years, 27 per cent were in the 21 to 30 bracket and 14 per cent were aged under 21 years.
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The most common drug of abuse was heroin, which was used by 93 per cent of the persons reported to the registry. In the case of young persons aged below 21 years, the common drugs of abuse included heroin, cannabis and cough medicines.
A total of 4 000 drug abusers came to the notice of the registry for the first time in 1993. Of the new cases, 83 per cent were male and 17 per cent were female. Most of them, or 73 per cent, were within the age bracket of 16 to 30. The drugs reported to be commonly abused by these new cases were again heroin, cannabis and cough medicines.
Overall Strategy and Co-ordination
The government has a comprehensive anti-drug programme which has achieved con- siderable success. The programme adopts a four-pronged approach law enforcement, treatment and rehabilitation, preventive education and publicity, and international co- operation. Effective law enforcement induces abusers to seek treatment voluntarily, as a result of short supply of drugs. Treatment and rehabilitation are undertaken by the government and a number of voluntary agencies which offer a wide range of facilities to meet the different needs of drug abusers from varying backgrounds. The effectiveness of these treatment programmes reduces the demand for illicit drugs. At the same time, the government places great emphasis on preventive education and publicity to heighten public awareness of the drug problem and to promote the advantages of a drug-free lifestyle. Co-operation at the international level, through exchange of information and experience, and joint action against illicit trafficking, enhances the effectiveness of efforts in these areas.
These efforts are co-ordinated by the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN), a non-statutory body which includes both non-official and government members. The committee is the government's advisory body on all anti-drug policies and actions, including those undertaken by non-government agencies. It is serviced by the Narcotics Division, which is headed by the Commissioner for Narcotics.
Legislation and Law Enforcement
The major anti-drug laws are the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, which prohibits trafficking, possession, unlawful manufacture and consumption of dangerous drugs; the Pharmacy and
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