TNAG-0560-FCO40-655-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 131

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

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PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION

for WRITTEN answer on13 January 1975

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

21

MOON MONDAY GANJURY

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.

Ry

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 and its

priorities reassessed.

By

These measures achieved outstanding results in 1974. 23 December 5,107 kgs of opium products with a retail value 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 drug 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 market at the highest level ever. Pressure will be maintained.

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