XN000022-1980-06-17 — Page 3

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TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 1980.

1980

AMS GIVES METHADONE HELP

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MEMBERS OF THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE HAVE TAKEN OVER FROM REGISTERED NURSES THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR RUNNING ALL METHADONE TREATMENT DAY CENTRES.

THE TAKEOVER AT THE SEVEN DAY CENTRES, SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR, HAS THEREFORE RELEASED FULL-TIME NURSING STAFF FOR OTHER MEDICAL DUTIES.

THE CENTRES ARE LADY TRENCH POLYCLINIC, HO MAN TIN HEALTH CENTRE, LI PO CHUN HEALTH CENTRE, SHAM SHUI‍ PO DISPENSARY, ROBERT BLACK HEALTH CENTRE, EASTERN STREET HEALTH CENTRE AND CHEUNG CHAU CLINIC.

THE 13 EVENING METHADONE DETOXIFICATION CLINICS HAVE BEEN MANNED BY AMS MEMBERS EVER SINCE THEY WERE SET UP IN 1974.

AMS DUTIES INCLUDE DISPENSING OF METHADONE, MAINTAINING ATTENDANCE RECORDS AND ALL OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE AND ACCOUNTING WORK. COUNSELLING DUTIES ARE CARRIED OUT BY MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKERS. A GOVERNMENT MEDICAL OFFICER IS IN OVERALL CHARGE OF EACH CENTRE, TO BE ON HAND TO ADVISE AND TREAT PATIENTS.

THE ASSISTANT MEDICAL DEFENCE STAFF OFFICER, MR LOK CHAM- CHOI SAID ABOUT 100 AMS MEMBERS WERE AT PRESENT WORKING DAILY IN ALL THESE CENTRES IN TWO SHIFTS.

+THEY HAVE ALL RECEIVED SPECIAL TRAINING BEFORE BEING ASSIGNED TO ATTEND TO PATIENTS, HE SAID.

AMS MEMBERS HAVE BEEN ASSISTING REGISTERED NURSES IN MANNING THE METHADONE CENTRES SINCE THE DETOXIFICATION SCHEME WAS FIRST INTRODUCED AT THE EASTERN STREET CENTRE IN 1972.

GROUP TO STUDY RECREATIONAL NEEDS OF TUEN MUN WORKERS

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AN EIGHT-MAN GROUP HAS BEEN FORMED IN TUEN MUN TO PROMOTE RECREATION AND SPORT AMONG LOCAL WORKERS.

THE GROUP, WHICH INCLUDES GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF CARITAS AND LOCAL FACTORIES, IS TO SEND OUT A QUESTIONNAIRE IN MID-JULY ASKING WORKERS WHAT SPORTING AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE PROVIDED FOR THEM IN THE NEW TOWN.

THE GROUP WILL ALSO LIAISE WITH FACTORY MANAGERS SO THAT A COMMITTEE NETWORK CAN BE ESTABLISHED.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE GROUP SAID THAT WITH THE SUPPORT OF LOCAL FACTORY OWNERS, INTER-FACTORY GAMES AND OTHER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES COULD BE ORGANISED. HE SAID CARITAS WOULD PROVIDE VOLUNTARY ORGANISERS.

/DECISIONS ON