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Meanwhile, the enforcement agencies, including the Police, Customs and the Department of Health, take vigorous action to detect and prosecute offenders, and to clamp down on the illegal supply of drugs in Hong Kong.

On treatment and rehabilitation, Mr Lai noted, a wide range of both mandatory and voluntary programmes for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts and substance abusers are provided.

He said: "These programmes are operated by the Correctional Services Department, the Department of Health, the Hospital Authority, the Society for the Aid and Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers, the Hong Kong Christian Service and a variety of voluntary groups."

As to preventive education and publicity, Mr Lai said the aim was to inculcate in the youngsters a healthy and positive attitude to life and to encourage them to resist the temptation to take drugs.

"This is done through a variety of education and publicity programmes and

material.

"The Education Department, the Social Welfare Department, the Information Services Department, district-based organisations, voluntary agencies, schools and the media all contribute towards our joint effort," he added.

End/Wednesday, February 22, 1995

Comments welcomed on LegCo elections expense proposals

The Government has arrived at certain preliminary proposals on the appropriate expense ceilings for the September 1995 Legislative Council elections in a review which is currently under way, the Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, Mr Nicholas Ng, said today (Wednesday).

In a reply to a question raised by the Hon Henry Tang in the Legislative Council, Mr Ng said these proposals should form a sensible basis for discussion and that comments and alternative proposals, both from the Council and from the community at large, were welcome.