HEALTH
law enforcement agencies neutralised several international drug trafficking syndicates. Substantial quantities of dangerous drugs were seized and ringleaders arrested both locally and abroad.
Since the enactment of the Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds) Ordinance, assets valued at $323 million have been ordered confiscated and $216 million paid to the government by the end of 1997 and further assets amounting to $169 million were under restraint.
Treatment and Rehabilitation
Hong Kong adopts a multi-modality approach in providing treatment and rehabilitation services to cater for the different needs of drug abusers from varying backgrounds. The main types of treatment and rehabilitation programmes include a compulsory drug addiction treatment programme operated by the Correctional Services Department for convicted drug abusers; a voluntary out-patient methadone programme provided by the Department of Health; voluntary residential treatment programmes run by the Society for the Aid and Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers (SARDA) and other non-governmental organisations including a number of Christian therapeutic treatment agencies; counselling services for psychotropic substances abusers provided by PS33 of the Hong Kong Christian Service, Caritas HUGS Centre and Direction of SARDA; and medical services for substance abusers provided by the Hospital Authority's six substance abuse clinics. Two teams of specially trained social workers under the Against Substance Abuse Scheme of the Social Welfare Department are available to help the youth at risk who occasionally abuse drugs.
In April 1997, SARDA's Sister Aquinas Memorial Women's Treatment Centre was relocated from Sha Tin to North District, with its capacity increased from 39 to 57 beds. A permanent site for an existing counselling centre for psychotropic substance abusers in the New Territories was identified and local consultation started. Renovation works for a new residential treatment centre for opiate abusers were in full swing and will commence operation in the first half of 1998.
During the year, a study commissioned by the Social Welfare Department was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment and rehabilitation services provided by non-subvented drug agencies, with a view to including them in the subvention system. The study was completed in December 1997.
Preventive Education and Publicity
Anti-drugs preventive education and publicity programmes in 1997 continued to educate young people that there is no difference between 'hard' and 'soft' drugs in terms of harmful effects; to help them in developing the life skills to resist drugs; to point out that there are alternatives to drugs to cope with problems; and to encourage them to lead a drug-free life. Preventive education and publicity programmes were also targeted at parents, alerting them to their important role in steering children away from drugs.
Two new programmes were carried out during the year the Narcotics Division's Home Page on the Internet and anti-drugs projects by the District School Liaison Committees.
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