TNAG-0504-FCO40-569-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 184

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for suitable

treatment during custody was thus self evident. The Tai Lam Addiction Treatment Centre (for men) was opened in November 1958 to meet it.

5.

The first ten years at Tai Lam were experimental. Much was learned from experience during them, in particular the importance of not only weaning an addict from drugs but also giving him sufficient will-power to remain abstinent thereafter. As a result comprehensive legisla- tion was enacted in January 1969. This was the Drug Addiction Treatment Centres Ordinance, Chapter 244. It provides powers for a Court to order that a person convicted of an offence punishable with imprisonment be detained in an addiction treatment centre for between six and eighteen months, for a compulsory period of one year's aftercare follow-up under supervision, and for recall, if necessary, during that time. Selection for admission to a centre is at the discretion of the Courts which refer to the Commissioner of Prisons for reports on the suitability of the person concerned for treatment and the availability of a place.

6.

Following this legislation, treatment facilities have been expanded. To the original Tai Lam Centre (which now has a maximum capacity of 508), the Tai Lam Addiction Treatment Centre for Women was added in November 1969. It was followed in January 1972 by a second centre for men at Ma Po Ping on Lan Tau Island. These have maximum capacities for 116 and 660 respectively. There is thus accommodation at any one time for 1,168 men - and the great majority of addicts in Hong Kong are men. The average period an addict spends at Tai Lam, whether in the men's or the women's centre, is now eight months. At Ma Po Ping, which deals primarily, but not exclusively, with recidivists, it is ten to twelve months. The Prisons

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