XN000022-1973-11-27 — Page 4

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Tuesday, November 27, 1973

Mr. Rolph said these wider terms of reference would allow the new ACAN to take over the work previously carried out by a group formed 14 years ago, the Narcotics Advisory Committee,

As a result, this group had now been disbanded.

The Commissioner for Narcotics also revealed plans to give the Medical and Health Department overall responsibility for drug

addiction treatment and research.

He said a Narcotics and Drugs Administration Division would be set up within the department,

Its task would be to implement and supervise all treatment and rehabilitation programmes approved by the government.

The division also would be responsible for studying and developing

new therapeutic techniques.

Facking up these far-reaching measures, Mr. Rolph said,

would be a Narcotics Secretariat responsible to the Secretary for Security.

This new secretariat, headed by the Commissioner for Narcotics, would service ACAN and monitor the implementation of government policies and decisions.

It also would co-ordinate government and non-government activities, implement policies aimed at combatting problems associated with the illicit drug trade and initiate proposals for ACAN's consideration.

The secretariat's other responsibilities would include the international aspects of the illicit drug trade, legal procedures, education and publicity, community involvement, and liaison with voluntary agencies and the Narcotica and Drugs Administration Division

of the Medical and Health Department.

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