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Monday, January 7, 1974
FOUR-PRONGED ATTACK NEEDED AGAINST DRUG ABUSE
Real progress in reducing the problem of narcotics addiction
in Hong Kong hinged on success in four inter-connected fields, the Governor,
Sir Murray MacLehose, said today.
He told the inaugural meeting of the recently reconstituted
Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) that success was needed in:
Reducing the amount of opium grown in producing
countries;
Interdicting shipments of opium and its derivatives
smuggled into Hong Kong from these countries;
Interdicting distribution of these drugs in Hong Kong;
and
Preventing and curing drug addiction in Hong Kong.
We can do something in the first two fields, but clearly our
main effort must be in the last two, which are within our jurisdiction,"
Sir Murray said.
"Nevertheless, all are inter-dependent.
Success in interdiction
will be shortlived and even might have serious social consequences if not
coupled with adequate facilities for cure.
"Facilities for cure will not be much used if cheap and abundant
supplies of drugs are available."
/Sir Murray
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