XN000022-1994-01-16 — Page 7

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SUNDAY, JANAURY 16, 1994

"THERE IS ALSO LESS DISEASE,

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HE NOTED.

RECENT

THE COMMISSIONER STRESSED THE CONTAMINATED PRODUCTS WHICH HAD LED TO AN OUTBREAK DRUG ABUSERS AND MANY UNNECESSARY DEATHS.

SELF-INJECTION OF OF TETANUS AMONG

"BY CONTRAST, METHADONE IS TAKEN ORALLY IN PROPERLY

CONDITIONS.

CONTROLLED

"IT PROVIDES A READILY ACCESSIBLE, LAWFUL AND MEDICALLY SAFE ALTERNATIVE TO THE ILLICIT SELF-ADMINISTRATION OF HEROIN, THE COMMISSIONER SAID.

"IT ALSO HELPS METHADONE PATIENTS ΤΟ EARN THEIR LIVING AND CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY, HE ADDED.

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CURRENTLY, SOME 9,000 HERION ADDICTS WERE REGISTERED AT 23 METHADONE CLINICS UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, WHICH THEY ATTENDED DAILY AS OUT-PATIENTS.

TO FIGHT AGAINST THE LONG-STANDING DRUG PROBLEM IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNMENT STRATEGY WAS TO TARGET BOTH SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

VIGOROUS LAW ENFORCEMENT BY THE POLICE AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE RESULTED IN THE SEIZURE OF LARGE QUANTITIES OF ILLICIT DRUGS BEFORE THEY REACHED CUSTOMERS AND HELPED TO STOP PRICES OF DRUGS FROM DROPPING TOO LOW, SAID THE COMMISSIONER.

"BUT SUCH ACTION

COMPLETELY.

SIDE,

DOES NOT AND CANNOT CUT OFF THE SUPPLY

"IT NEEDS TO BE BALANCED BY STRENUOUS EFFORTS ON THE DEMAND HE REMARKED.

"WE ARE WORKING HARD, THROUGH EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY, TO PREVENT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE FROM BEING CAUGHT UP IN THE DEGRADATION AND DANGER OF DRUG ABUSE, MR SINCLAIR PLEDGED.

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