TNAG-0504-FCO40-569-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 192

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The Risk of Export

26.

The demands of markets abroad, together with the convenient position of Hong Kong astride international shipping and air routes, mean that there must inevitably be a risk that opium products will be exported from here so long as substantial quantities continue to be imported. Small quantities of heroin of Hong Kong origin have already been found in the United Kingdom, in Western Europe and on the North American Continent. Moreover when production in Turkey stopped at the end of 1972, the golden triangle area became the world's major source of illicit opium. Hong Kong could as a result in future become more implicated in heroin export. Some overseas critics consider it already has, and have drawn attention to this. It is thus essential that effective action be taken to safeguard against this danger.

International Control Machinery

27.

All these problems of production, transport- ation and export - are largely outside local control, or have important international aspects to them. No State or Territory can hope to solve them by itself, notwith- standing its basic responsibility for dealing with its own affairs. Solutions must thus be sought at an inter- national level; and established machinery is gradually being developed for the purpose.

28.

The Commission on Narcotic Drugs was established by the United Nations in 1946. It acts under the aegis of the Economic and Social Council (U.N.E.S.C.0.) and is the body responsible for monitoring international narcotics agreements. It is also responsible for keeping abreast of developments in the world drug situation and advising U.N.E.S.C.O. on measures required to meet them. For this purpose it works in close co-operation with the

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