G. F. 323
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Department can therefore treat approximately 1,600 men per year on the present basis. It claims a success rate for men of about 40% based on following up a 10% sample for three years after release from the Tai Lam Centre, an outstandingly high rate by world standards.
7.
Meanwhile work was also being done to provide programmes for addicts who wished to volunteer for treatment. Following some 1958 experiments conducted at Queen Mary Hospital, 120 beds at the newly opened Castle Peak Hospital were temporarily allocated for use by drug addicts. The principal aim was to ascertain the extent of the need for voluntary treatment, while concur- rently researching further into the most effective forms of therapy.
8.
At about the same time, a group of leading citizens formed a working committee with a view to providing facilities for addicts who wished to offer themselves for treatment voluntarily. In July 1961 this committee was formally incorporated as the Society for the Aid and Rehabilitation of Drug Addicts (S.A.R.D.A.). The Society obtained the island of Shek Kwu Chau from Government for a treatment centre which at first took patients who had been physically withdrawn from their addiction at Castle Peak Hospital. It was later decided that the two facilities should be merged and the entire programme undertaken at Shek Kwu Chau.
9.
The Treatment Centre there is regulated under the Drug Addicts Treatment and Rehabilitation Ordinance, Chapter 326, which was enacted in February 1961. This Ordinance provides that an addict who applies for treat- ment shall, if accepted, sign a declaration surrendering his liberty for a period not exceeding six months (now
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