XN000022-1983-05-23 — Page 7

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MONDAY, MAY 23, 1983

HOWEVER, HE SAID, AS A RESULT OF THE JOINT ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS OF THE POLICE AND CUSTOMS HONG KONG IS VIRTUALLY NO LONGER A DRUG EXPORTING TERRITORY.

THERE WERE NO KNOWN CASES OF DRUGS BEING EXPORTED FROM HONG KONG IN 1980. AND THERE WERE ONLY THREE CASES IN 1981 AND IN 1982.

MR MORTIMER QUOTED SOME DETAILS PROVIDED BY THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE OF SEIZURES OF DRUGS ON BOARD OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ENTERING HONG KONG TO ILLUSTRATE THE DEVIOUS METHODS USED IN DRUG SMUGGLING AND THE NETWORK OF CRIMINAL INTRIGUE WHICH EXISTS AND WHICH IS OFTEN DIFFICULT TO PENETRATE.

ON THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE, HE SAID, A RESOLUTION TO IMPROVE INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION IN THE MARITIME INTERDICTION OF ILLICIT DRUG TRAFFIC WAS ADOPTED AT THE 30TH SESSION OF THE UN COMMISSION ON NARCOTICS DRUGS HELD IN VIENNA EARLIER THIS YEAR.

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+THE RESOLUTION INDICATES THE IMPORTANCE WHICH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ATTACHES TO STRENGTHENING CO-OPERATION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THIS METHOD OF SMUGGLING, HE SAID.

*THE SMUGGLING OF DRUGS BY SEA IS OF COURSE ONLY ONE OF THE ROUTES USED, MR MORTIMER SAID.

HE STRESSED THAT THE TASK OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IS TO SUPPRESS AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE ALL POSSIBLE MEANS OF SMUGGLING, DISTRIBUTION AND SALE OF ILLICIT DRUGS IN HONG KONG.

+TO ACHIEVE THIS, CONSTANT VIGILANCE IS REQUIRED TOGETHER WITH CLOSE INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION, HE SAID.

+THE PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMME IS GIVEN A HIGH PRIORITY AND IS AIMED AT STIMULATING COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND EDUCATING THE YOUNGER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY IN THE DANGERS OF DRUG ABUSE, HE SAID.

+FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BECOME ADDICTED THERE IS A VARIETY OF READILY AVAILABLE TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES. SOME 15 000 PERSONS WERE ADMITTED TO SOME FORM OF TREATMENT AND AFTER-CARE IN 1982, + HE SAID.

+THROUGH CAREFUL CO-ORDINATION WE ARE ABLE TO MOUNT A CONCERTED ATTACK ON THE OVERALL PROBLEM AND IF WE ALL PLAY OUR PART THE BATTLE CAN EVENTUALLY BE WON, HE ADDED.

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