XN000022-1995-02-15 — Page 58

Reply:

(b)

Mr President,

(a)

(b)

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-

the Government has considered relocating such centres into neighbouring medical institutions so that they are away from residential areas; if so, what the progress is, if not, what the reasons are?

There is no evidence to suggest that there has been an upward trend in the crime rates in the areas surrounding methadone clinics. Overall the crime rates in such areas have remained stable; occasionally slight increases have been detected at individual clinics at different times. Generally there are slight increases in the crime rates when there is a shortage of supply of heroin on the street.

The prime objective of the methadone treatment programme is to provide a readily accessible, legal, medically safe and effective alternative to illicit administration of opiate drugs by drug abusers. The success of the programme depends to a large extent on its accessibility to drug abusers. Methadone clinics are thus located in areas which are convenient of access to facilitate attendance by patients. Requests for relocation of methadone clinics are considered having regard to the availability of a suitable site which should be accessible and acceptable to the District Board concerned. The main difficulty in relocating methadone clinics lies in the identification of a suitable relocation site.

End/Wednesday, February 15, 1995

Drug abusers told to properly dispose of used syringes

Following is a question by the Hon Ho Mun-ka and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Peter Lai, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

As used syringes discarded by drug addicts have posed a serious health problem to residents in public housing estates, will the Government inform this council of the immediate strategy and long term practical measures it will take to improve the situation?