Saturday, December 9, 1972
VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH PILOT METHADONE SCHEME
Mrs. Mary Wong, recently appointed Legislative Councillor and
Chairman of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, said today young volunteers
from the Association of Volunteers for Service would co-operate with the
Medical and Health Department in its pilot methadone scheme.
She made this offer following a visit to the Department's Methadone
Treatment Pilot Scheme Centre in Eastern Street in her additional capacity as
She was received at the Centre by Dr. G.H. Choa,
Chairman of the Association,
Director of Medical and Health Services, and shown around the premises.
Since the Centre opened on December 1, it has admitted 10 voluntary
patients. Four have chosen not to continue the treatment, but six are now in-
patients under observation. They are being put on methadone, taken orally,
and when they are well-established on the drug, will be discharged from the
Centre, with the treatment continuing on an out-patient basis,
Mrs. Wong thought the volunteers would not only help in the search
for addicts who could be persuaded to prefer methadone to heroin, but would
also assist in follow-up such as regular home visits to encourage out-patients
to continue with the treatment.
The young volunteers from the Association would complement the work
of the Medical Social Worker attached to the Centre, and would co-ordinate their
efforts with him under the general guidance of the Medical Officer in charge
of the Scheme.
Also