XN000022-1979-09-03 — Page 4

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1979

EXPANSION OF METHADONE TREATMENT FACILITIES PROPOSED

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THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT FURTHER EXPAND THE METHADONE TREATMENT PROGRAMME, INCREASE PUBLICITY ABOUT THE HELP THE PROGRAMME CAN GIVE TO ADDICTS, AND REPROVISION A GOVERNMENT LABORATORY SO THAT INCREASED URINE TESTS CAN BE UNDERTAKEN FOR METHADONE PATIENTS.

THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR. PETER LEE, TODAY (MONDAY) SAID: +URGENT ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS CAN BE IMPLEMENTED AT AN EARLY DATE SO THAT IMPROVED TREATMENT FACILITIES CAN BE PROVIDED FOR DRUG ADDICTS.

+SUCCESSES ACHIEVED BY BOTH HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, COMBINED WITH A DROUGHT IN THE OPIUM-GROWING AREAS OF THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE+, HAVE PUSHED UP THE PRICE OF HEROIN TO ABOUT FIVE TIMES WHAT IT WAS AT THE BEGINNING OF JUNE. IT NOW COSTS AN ADDICT OVER $200 A DAY TO MAINTAIN HIS ADDICTION, AND EVEN AT THAT PRICE, HEROIN IS VERY DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN.

+CURRENTLY, THERE ARE RECORD DAILY ATTENDANCE AT ALL 20 METHADONE CENTRES, AS WELL AS AT THE SOCIETY FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ABUSERS (S.A.R.D.A.). THE HEROIN FAMINE AND THE RISING. COSTS OF ADDICTION HAVE ALSO SURFACED ABOUT 1 000 ADDICTS WHO HAVE NOT PREVIOUSLY BEEN KNOWN TO THE CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ADDICTS.+

THE RECOMMENDATIONS, WHICH WERE ENDORSED AT AN EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF A.C.A.N. HELD ON AUGUST 22, ARE:-

* THE NEED FOR MORE METHADONE CENTRES IN THE EAST KOWLOON

AREA TO RELJEVE SOME OF THE WORKLOAD OF THE SIR ROBERT BLACK CLINIC WHICH RECEIVES ON AVERAGE 2 200 PATIENTS A DAY AND TO COPE WITH A POSSIBLE INCREASE IN DEMAND FOR TREATMENT IN THAT AREA IN FUTURE, SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT-

* NEW METHADONE CENTRES AT SAI KUNG, SHA TIN AND TAI PO

SHOULD BE OPENED AS SOON AS STAFF AND ACCOMMODATION ARE AVAILABLE-

* ADDITIONAL STAFF SHOULD BE DEPLOYED IN ALL METHADONE

CENTRES SHOULD DEMAND CONTINUE TO INCREASE-

* THE EXPANSION OF SELECTED EVENING METHADONE CENTRES

TO FULL-DAY CENTRES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED-

* THE EXISTING GOVERNMENT URINE-TESTING LABORATORY

AT EASTERN STREET, HONG KONG, WHERE ONLY 70 TESTS

A DAY CAN BE DONE, SHOULD BE RELOCATED IN THE HOMANTIN METHADONE CLINIC WHERE 420 TESTS FOR METHADONE PATIENTS COULD BE DONE EACH DAY- AND

*PUBLICITY ON FACILITIES AVAILABLE AT THE METHADONE CENTRES

SHOULD BE INCREASED SO AS TO ENCOURAGE MORE DRUG ADDICTS TO COME FORWARD FOR TREATMENT.

LEME