Wednesday, November 22, 1972
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Former prisoners, especially those living in the vicinity of the
Tung Tau area where the scheme's out-patient centre will be located, who
wish to be considered for admission should apply to the Society's intake
office at Tung Tau Resettlement Estate, Block 9, Ground Floor, Kowloon.
During the course of the programme and at the end of three years,
the data collected will be analysed. A final assessment will be made and
published.
Methadone (sometimes called Physeptone) has been used in Hong Kong
for some years as a heroin substitute, but has not been used in any long term
maintenance treatment programme.
A spokesman for the Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society said today
the methadone maintenance treatment has been used overseas, especially in
the United States, with considerable success in helping to bring about social
rehabilitation for heroin addicts. "The object of this clinical trial is to
assess its applicability to Hong Kong."
The ultimate objective of methadone maintenance, as with other
programmes, he said, is to help addicts to regain their self-respect and
confidence so that they will become responsible citizens freed from the
bondage of destructive heroin abuse.
A larger programme, run by the Medical and Health Department and
involving a total of 550 patients over a period of three years,is expected
to begin early next month.
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