XN000022-1972-09-20 — Page 2

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Wednesday, September 20, 1972

The spokesman stressed that there was still a lot to learn and there

was a need to develop programmes which "encourage independence and creativity

rather than conformity."

The project was operated on a grant of over one million dollars. This

sum consisted of a capital grant to cover the cost of purchasing and equipping

five flats at Tak Wah Building in Hennessy Road and to meet four years' recurrent

expenses for the pilot project.

During the four years, there were 228 admissions, including 37

re-admissions. Most of the patients admitted were heroin addicts, and were

between 45 and 49 years of age.

The average length of their stay in the centre was a little over

five months.

The spokesman said the scheme was essential for the strengthening

of personal relationships as part of the treatment.

According to the report on the scheme, there are between 80,000 and

100,000 narcotic dependents in Hong Kong and three to five per cent of them are

women.

Commenting on the pilot scheme, the Chairman of the Government Lotteries

Management Committee, Mr. Alex S.C. Wu, said the result of the experiment has

been very encouraging.

He said this is only one of the many social welfare projects financed

by the Lotteries Fund.

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