TNAG-0417-FCO40-463-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 30

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number of addicts believed to exist in Hong Kong, and who will

have to be treated sooner or later if drug abuse is to be eradicated,

possibly somewhere in the order of 100,000, it is a matter for

concern that nearly all Government's expertise in treating addiction

continues to be developed within the restricted environment of the

Prisons Department. If the back of Hong Kong's very large drug

addiction problem is to be broken within a reasonable period of time, most curative activity must take place outside the prison

context instead of inside as at present, and this will require new

techniques of therapy.

25.

It is submitted that the Medical and Health Department is the proper agency in the Colony to assume overall responsiblity and control for the treatment of drug addiction.

which follow will adhere to this view.

The proposals

26.

The final point to be mentioned at this stage is the level of representation Government Departments accord to A.C.A.N.

and its Sub-Committees in its relevance to future representation

on the new control organisation. This differs widely at the

moment from the head of department in person in some cases to

officers considerably more junior in others. This is not Satisfactory and it is submitted that in order to produce the new impetus and initiative required, representation on the new control organisation should be at the highest levels departmentally.

Future Dangerous Drugs Control Organisation in Hong Kong.

27.

It is recommended that the Action Committee Against

Narcotics should be reconstituted as a permanent non-statutory

body with official and unofficial members. It is proposed that

Committee. this Goune has its terms of reference further strengthened to make it the advisory instrument of Government in all policy matters related to the eradication of drug abuse and drug trafficking, whether these are external or domestic, and whether related to Government Departments or Voluntary Agencies, and to be the channel

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