WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1986
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LEGISLATIVE STEP TO HELP YOUNG ADDICTS
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LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS WOULD REMEDY THE SITUATION WHERE ADDICTS AGED BETWEEN 18 AND 19 WERE PREVENTED FROM SEEKING VOLUNTARY TREATMENT BECAUSE THE CONSENT OF THEIR PARENTS OR GUARDIANS WAS NOT FORTHCOMING, THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JAMES FINDLAY, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE DRUG ADDICTS TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, MR FINDLAY SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO AMEND SECTION (7) OF THE DRUG ADDICTS TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION ORDINANCE.
UNDER THIS SECTION, HE SAID, A YOUNG ADDICT AGED UNDER 19 REQUIRED THE CONSENT OF A PARENT OR GUARDIAN BEFORE HE OR SHE COULD BE ADMITTED TO ONE OF THE TWO TREATMENT CENTRES RUN BY THE SOCIETY FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ABUSERS.
IF THE CONSENT WAS NOT FORTHCOMING, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE MIGHT APPLY FOR A CARE AND PROTECTION ORDER UNDER THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILES ORDINANCE TO ASSUME LEGAL GUARDIANSHIP OF THE ADDICT AND THEREAFTER APPLY FOR ADMISSION TO THE CENTRE ON THE ADDICT'S BEHALF.
+ THE DIRECTOR'S POWER, HOWEVER, IS CONFINED TO YOUNG PERSONS AGED 18 YEARS OR BELOW,+ MR FINDLAY SAID.
THE BILL THEREFORE PROPOSED TO LOWER THE MAXIMUM AGE LIMIT FOR A YOUNG PERSON FROM 19 TO 18 YEARS.
+THIS AMENDMENT WOULD BRING THE DRUG ADDICTS TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION ORDINANCE IN LINE WITH THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILES ORDINANCE.
MR FINDLAY SAID OTHER AMENDMENTS PROPOSED INCLUDED A PROVISION FOR VISITS BY JUSTICES OF THE PEACE TO THE TREATMENT CENTRES AT LEAST ONCE IN EVERY THREE MONTHS INSTEAD OF MONTHLY AND CANCELLATION OF THE PROVISION FOR GAZETTING SUCH VISITS.
THE BILL ALSO SOUGHT TO UPDATE THE MONETARY PENALTIES UNDER THE ORDINANCE WHICH HAD NOT BEEN REVISED SINCE 1960 AND, IN ADDITION, PROVIDED FOR THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY TO REPLACE THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, A DEFUNCT POST, ON THE ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE APPEAL BOARD.
MR FINDLAY PAID TRIBUTE TO THE COUNCIL'S AD HOC GROUP WHICH, UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF DR HO KAM-FAI, +DEVOTED A LOT OF TIME ÎN SCRUTINISING THIS BILL+.
HE SAID THE AD HOC GROUP WAS IN FULL SUPPORT OF THE BILL EXCEPT THAT ITS MEMBERS PREFERRED TO RETAIN THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENT OF MONTHLY VISIT BY JP'S.
/+IN FACT