TNAG-0560-FCO40-655-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 106

Dd.156229 Gp.863 Dd.156453 Gp.863

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION

for WRITTEN answer on13 January 1975

HK + 10 Deg

The draft reply should reach the Parliamentary Office through your Under-Secretary by

NOON MONDAY

1020 vi My Don Jones (Burnley): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, to what extent the Government in Hong Kong is involved in controlling the illicit entry of drugs from Thailand; what measures have been taken by the authorities, and at what cost, to curb the entry of drugs; and what steps are taken by the medical services to control and cure victims.

ho

David Emaals

Hong Kong is co-operating with the UN, Interpol and

other countries in the region in tackling the narcotics problem. A liaison officer from the Royal Hong Kong Police was posted to the British Embassy at Bangkok in November 1973

to improve the flow of information from those countries which

are the source of drugs entering Hong Kong. The Narcotics Bureau of the police force has been restructured Jána ite

These measures achieved outstanding results in 1974. 23 December 5,107 kgs of opium producto with a retail vala of HK 126.4 million had been seized and 7 heroin refineries

and 2 acetic anhydride laboratories had been discovered. Unprecedented progress has been made in identifying and prosecuting members of major rug importing and distribution syndicates the first time this has happened post war. Drugs now are in short supply in Hong Kong and prices on the illicit

highest level

Tressure will be maintainedr

-

A recent survey estimates that overall anti-narcotics

measures in the law enforcement field cost about

HKS 25 million annually. *

For males, the Prisons Department operate 2 drug addiction

treatment centres with a capacity of 1,168: the Society for

the Aid and Rehabilitation of Drug Addicts one centre with a capacity for 500: the Discharged Prisoners Aid Society one

centre with a capacity for 24. In addition, methadone

maintenance facilities are available for 4,650 including 3 centres for 1,000 each, opened as a special measure to meet

demand by addicts in the present situation. For females,

there are 2 treatment centres with a capacity for 146. Nearly all drug addicts in Hong Kong are males.

/The Action Committee