XN000022-1972-12-09 — Page 4

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