TNAG-0505-FCO40-570-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 59

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Foreign and Commonwealth Office London SW1

FB Williams Esq

Social Services Branch

Colonial Secretariat

Hong Kong

Telephone 01- 930 8440

то? 25

Your reference

Our reference

HKK 19/2 19/2

Date

16 September 1974

109

COMMONWEALTH YOUTH FROGRAMME: RESEARCH INTO DRUG ADDICTION AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE

1. We have received an enquiry from the Ministry of Overseas Development resulting from a proposal made by the Commonwealth Secretariat to set up a research project on the effects of drug dependence among young people.

2. The ODM response to this proposal, when first approached by the Colonial Secretariat, was rather cautious. They were anxious that the Commonwealth Secretariat, which has only limited funds, should not sponsor research projects in areas which are already well covered by other agencies. They thought that UNESCO and the UN Narcotics Division might already be carrying out similar research into this particular field. However, the Commonwealth Secretariat said that in proposing this project they were only responding to positive requests that had been made by Commonwealth Youth Ministers and to a request that was made by the Governor of Hong Kong to their Secretary Generul when he visited Hong Kong in January of this year.

3. The ODM have now written to us asking if the Governor did in fact discuss this matter with the Secretary General and make such a request. They think that the Governor may well have only expressed polite interest in the project and, before they discuss the project any further with the Commonwealth Secretariat, would like to be sure what the Governor said.

A.

We have on file a note saying that Mr Arnold Smith discussed with the Governor and the Colonial Secretary, Hong Kong's interest in the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation. We have no record of

any discussion between the Governor and the Secretary General about the Commonwealth Youth Programme. I would be grateful therefore if you could let me know if the question of research into the field of drug addiction by the Commonwealth Youth Programme was discussed? It would also be helpful if you could let us have any views you may have on the proposed project.

A L Wotton

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department

D 8/10 B.J. 6 wks.pl

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