79
SECRAT
1.
H.
Keng
LONG-TERM POLICY DIRECTIVES
DANGEROUS DRUGS (INCLUDING OPIUH)
The pre-war measures, based on the International Conventions of 1912, 1925 and 1931, for the control of stocks, importation production, distribution, sale, possession and use of dangerous drugs should be restored as soon as possible.
2.
As soon as practicable, the Chief Civil Affairs Officer should arrange to furnish, through the appropriate channels, quarterly returns to the Permanent Central Opium Board of:-
3.
(1)
quantities of each of the drugs or raw materials imported or exported during the preceding quarter indicating the source of imports and the destination of exports.
(11) the amounts of each drug manufactured during
the quarter; and
(111) the amounts released for civilian requirements
and stocks in hand at the end of the quarter (existing forms in use under the Conventions to be used as far as possible).
The legislation in operation prior to the Japanese war should be amended as may be necessary to give effect to the Statement of Polidy made by His Majesty's Government on the 10th of November, 1943 (copy annexed), announcing the total prohibition of opium smoking in British and British-Protected territories in the Far East which are now in enemy occupation.
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Steps should be taken to enforce this policy rigorously In particular all opium shops and opium smoking dens should be closed, and all stocks of narcotic drugs, other than those intended for medical and scientific purposes should be seized.
5. Since the prohibition of opium smoking may result in addiction to the more deleterious forms of drugs (such as heroin), the enforcement of the measures of control referred to in paragraph 1 will call for even greater vigilence than formerly.
6.
Steps should be taken as soon as practicable to review and extend the measures which were intended to create a strong public opinion against opium smoking.
7.
Steps should be taken to re-establish and extend the facilities for the treatment of drug addicts.
Colonial office,
August 30th, 1945.