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exchanges of information and experience as well as joint actions against illicit trafficking, enhances the effectiveness of efforts in all these areas.
These anti-drug efforts are co-ordinated by the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN), a non-statutory body comprising 20 members, of whom 18 are non-officials. It advises the Government on anti-drug policies and activities and is serviced by the Narcotics Division of the Government Secretariat, headed by the Commissioner for Narcotics.
Given the world-wide and local increase of psychotropic substance abuse, a multi- discipline task force comprising more than 30 experts from different fields was set up in early 2000 to recommend to the Government comprehensive strategies to tackle this problem along the five-pronged anti-drug approach. A series of measures to tackle the problem, as recommended by the Task Force, has already been implemented.
Legislation and Law Enforcement
To fulfil its international obligations under the 1988 United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, Hong Kong enacted the Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds) Ordinance and the Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance which provide for the tracing, freezing, confiscation and recovery of the proceeds of drug trafficking as well as for action against drug money laundering.
The Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance was amended in 2000 to require money-changers and remittance agents to identify customers and to keep records of transactions involving $20,000 or more. Legislative amendments were also proposed to enhance the provisions in the law concerning confiscation of illicit assets and penalties for money laundering offences.
Since the enactment of the Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds) Ordinance in 1989, assets valued at $471 million have been confiscated, and $365 million of this has been paid to the Government, under court orders. By the end of the year, assets amounting to $1,081 million were under restraint.
The Government took into account a number of legislative measures recommended by the Task Force on Psychotropic Substance Abuse to tackle the rising trend of psychotropic substance abuse. Since December 2000, the Government has tightened control on ketamine, which was becoming a favoured substance of abuse, by classifying it as a dangerous drug under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. In October 2001, the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance was further amended to control GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyric), another popular 'club drug' overseas, to prevent it from being abused in Hong Kong. The Government has also been working with specific target groups, including ‘rave party' organisers, by publishing a Code of Practice for Dance Party Organisers to prevent dance venues from being used as a place for drug abuse or trafficking. The Secretary for Home Affairs proposes to regulate 'raves' or similar dance parties under the Places of Public Entertainment Ordinance.
The law enforcement agencies have stepped up their efforts. In February, the Customs and Excise Department set up a Control Points Investigation Division, comprising 34 officers, to strengthen the efforts to counter cross-boundary drug trafficking, as well as other offences. The Customs has also increased its inspection at checkpoints to stem the inflow and outflow of illicit drugs. Enforcement action by the