TNAG-0418-FCO40-464-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 103

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ANNEX TO XCC(73) G

Colonial Secretariat,

Hong Kong.

THE PROBLEM OF NARCOTIC DRUGS IN HONG KONG

PAPER FIVE

THE TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ADDICTS

Introduction

1.

This final substantive paper deals with the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts in the Colony. It is generally recognised that stringent measures to interdict the illicit traffic and stop the manufacture of heroin must be complemented by vigorous and realistic addict treatment and rehabilitation programmes aimed at eradicating drug abuse from the community. The opposite is also the case; the two must go together.

2.

Hong Kong is regarded as a world leader in the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts, with a success rate as high as anywhere and better than most. Nevertheless no one knows how many opiate drug addicts there are here. Estimates in the press and elsewhere range from 50,000 to as high as 250,000. Those closely connected with the Colony's anti-drug operations consider that the likely figure is somewhere between 80,000 and 100,000; but even this is no more than an educated guess. If it proves correct, about 2% of Hong Kong's population will be addicted giving the highest

percentage rate in the world.

A Central Register of

Drug Addicts is now being compiled as a basis for providing a more accurate estimate, but it will not yield really meaningful results before 1975.

3.

Up to the end of March 1973 almost 30,000 addicts had received a recognised course of treatment and rehabilitation here since World War II. A number

of these had been through one or other of the facilities

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