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in Hong Kong have been embodied in a White Paper which
has just been published. This paper contains recommen-
dations on ways of tackling the drug problem in Hong Kong.
3. The Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) has
been re-constituted as a permanent non statutory body
with seven official members and five unofficials, under
the Chairmanship of Sir Albert Rodrigues. The Committee's
terms of reference have been strengthened, making it
the advisory instrument of Government in all policy
matters relating to the eradication of drug trafficking
and drug abuse. A small Narcotics Secretariat, headed
by the Commissioner for Narcotics, is being established
in the office for the Secretary for Security. It will
monitor the implementation of Government policy and
decisions. A Central Register of Drug Addicts was
opened in 1972, which it is hoped will, by 1975, give
a reliable guide to the true extent of the addict
population in Hong Kong. It is planned to introduce
into the Legislative Council an amending bill to increase
some of the penalties for drug offences.
4.
During 1974 ACAN will conduct a comprehensive review
of all the present treatment programmes in Hong Kong
with the aim of advising the Government about the
facilities required to tackle addiction decisively.
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