XN000022-1983-07-12 — Page 3

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TUESDAY, JULY 12, 1983

THERE WILL ALSO BE THREE OTHER MOTIONS AT THE MEETING, TWO DEALING WITH THE INCREASE IN THE ISSUE OF TAXI LICENCES FOR THE URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES AREAS, AND THE OTHER DEALING WITH THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1983. THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR WILL SEEK APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT REGULATIONS, IN AN ATTEMPT TO IMPROVE FURTHER THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE EXISTING REGULATIONS, PARTICULARLY WITH REGARD TO SAFETY OF WORKING AT HEIGHTS.

THERE WILL BE FIVE SESSIONAL PAPERS. TWO WILL DEAL WITH SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS, AND THE THREE OTHERS ARE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE WELFARE FUND INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT, THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE BOARD ANNUAL REPORT, AND THE UMELCO POLICE GROUP 1982 REPORT.

BIG ANTI-DRUG VARIETY SHOW COMING

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THE GOVERNMENT IS WORRIED ABOUT THE INCREASING INVOLVEMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN DRUGS AND IS MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO STOP THIS TREND.

SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY), THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR G.L. MORTIMER POINTED OUT THAT THE AVAILABILITY OF LOW STREET PRICE HEROIN DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS AS A RESULT OF THREE SUCCESSIVE BUMPER OPIUM CROPS IN THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE WAS POSING A THREAT TO THE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY THE YOUNGER PEOPLE.

AS AT DECEMBER 31, A TOTAL OF 1 685 YOUNG PERSONS UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE WAS RECORDED IN THE CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ABUSE, REPRESENTING FOUR PER CENT OF THE TOTAL OF 41 906 REGISTERED PERSONS.

MR MORTIMER SAID, ALTHOUGH THE NUMBER OF YOUNG PERSONS WAS NOT GREAT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED PERSONS, IT IS THE INCREASING INVOLVEMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN DRUGS WHICH IS WORRYING.

+OF 3 464 PERSONS NEWLY REPORTED TO THE REGISTRY IN 1982, 927 OR 26.8 PER CENT WERE UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE.

+THIS IS AN INCREASE OF 174 OR 23 PER CENT ON THE FIGURE OF 753 FOR 1981, AND MORE THAN DOUBLE THE FIGURE FOR 1980.

+THE MEAN AGE OF FIRST ILLICIT DRUG USE AMONG INDIVIDUALS UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE NEWLY REPORTED TO THE REGISTRY HAS FALLEN FROM 17 IN 1980 TO 16.6 IN 1982,+ HE ADDED.

MR MORTIMER SAID THAT THE PRIMARY OBJECTS OF THIS YEAR'S ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN WAS, THEREFORE, TO DISSUADE AND PREVENT YOUNG PEOPLE FROM HAVING ANYTHING TO DO WITH ILLICIT DRUGS, AND TO ENCOURAGE THOSE ALREADY ADDICTED TO COME FORWARD FOR TREATMENT.

/TODAY'S