VNLAY, MARCH 11, 1979
THE DEPARTMENT ALSO CONDUCTED A RANDOM-SAMPLING SURVEY FOR A FURTHER TWO YEARS ON 10 PER CENT OF THE INMATES WHICH INDICATED THAT THE PROPORTION OF THOSE STILL DRUG-FREE AND NOT CONVICTED OF ANY CRIMINAL OFFENCES WAS 271 OR 40.15 PER CENT FOR MEN AND 19 OR 59.38 PER CENT FOR WOMEN.
IF THE ABSTINENCE RATE IS CONSIDERED ALONE, THE ONE-YEAR AND THREE-YEAR RESULTS WERE 8,725 OR 73.55 PER CENT AND 358 OR 53.04 PER CENT FOR MEN, AND 360 OR 78.95 PER CENT AND 19 OR 59.38 PER CENT FOR WOMEN.
THE DEPARTMENT'S PROGRAMME IS AIMED AT TOTAL REHABILITATION OF DRUG ADDICTS. THIS ENTAILS THREE PHASES OF METICULOUS EFFORTS -- FIRST TO RESTORE THE PHYSICAL HEALTH OF AN INMATE, THEN TO UPROOT HIS PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL DEPENDENCE ON DRUGS, AND FINALLY TO FACILITATE HIS RE-ADJUSTMENT INTO SOCIETY.
THE SOCIAL RE-ADJUSTMENT PRIMARILY INVOLVES ARRANGING POST-RELEASE EMPLOYMENT AND ACCOMMODATION BY AN AFTER-CARE OFFICER.
BUT OF GREATER IMPORTANCE IS THAT THE AFTER-CARE OFFICER IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE FOR COUNSELLING AND ADVICE.
ONCE AN INMATE IS ADMITTED TO A TREATMENT CENTRE AN AFTER-CARE OFFICER INTERVIEWS HIM, GATHERS INFORMATION ON HIS BACKGROUND, DRUG ADDICTION AND PREVIOUS TREATMENT HISTORY,
AN AFTER-CARE OFFICER'S JOB IS TO HELP THE INMATE THROUGH DIFFICULT PERIODS, NOT ONLY WHILE HE IS IN THE CENTRE BUT ALSO AFTER HIS RELEASE.
DURING AN INMATE'S DETENTION, PERSONAL CONSULTATIONS AND GROUP DISCUSSIONS ARE HELD TO PROMOTE POSITIVE ATTITUDES.
AN INMATE'S FAMILY PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HIS SUCCESSFUL REHABILITATION. FAMILY ACCEPTANCE AND UNDERSTANDING ARE ESSENTIAL IF HE OR SHE IS TO RE-INTEGRATE BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY.
+A LARGE NUMBER COME FROM BROKEN FAMILIES AND WE MAKE A TREMENDOUS EFFORT TO RE-UNITE THEM. WE ARE SUCCESSFUL IN MOST CASES, SAID MR. LI TING-CHEONG, CHIEF OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE AFTER-CARE UNIT.
TO PROMOTE FAMILY COMMUNICATION AND UNDERSTANDING, REGULAR DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN INMATES, THEIR FAMILIES AND AFTER-CARE OFFICERS ARE ARRANGED, AND HOME LEAVE IS GRANTED TO INMATES BEFORE THEIR RELEASE.
GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT FOR EX-DRUG ADDICTS IS ALSO ESSENTIAL TO PREVENT THEM FROM RELAPSE AND THE PLACEMENT SERVICE IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE AFTER-CARE UNIT PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN ITS ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRES.
EXPERIENCE SHOWS THAT EX-ADDICTS ARE STABLE AND DILIGENT WORKERS AND A NUMBER OF EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE GIVEN WORK TO THEM HAVE FOUND THEIR PERFORMANCE VERY SATISFACTORY. IN FACT THEY HAVE APPROACHED THE DEPARTMENT FOR MORE.