TNAG-0560-FCO40-655-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 137

C.S. 166

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XCC(75)3

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will be quickly released from prison under such Vu an order, subject to agreeing to submit to methadone maintenance;

(b) reconverting Ma Po Ping Drug Addiction Treat-

ment Centre (DATC) into its former role of Tong Fuk prison, for 660 prisoners. This will involve reprovisioning the DATC; and

(c) increasing the number of places for addicts by

a further 1, 200, preferably in two separate centres, though not necessarily in different locations, so that, as far as is practicable, accommodation will be available in DATCs for all those whom the Courts decide should be dealt with in this way. By this means, a higher rate of through-put of young addicts, who are first offenders, can be achieved and a determined attempt can be made to reduce the number of addicts. Since there appears to be a close correlation between addiction and crime, a reduction in the incidence of addiction should lead to a levelling off and, possibly in the future, a reduction in the incidence of crime and, therefore, of the level of the prison population.

That part of Hei Ling Chau which is now used as a leprosarium would be ideal for the 660 male addicts housed in the Ma Po Ping DATC. The mission premises could be taken into use after a minimum of structural alterations. As Hei Ling Chau is an island and isolated, its setting affords it the security required, with minimum supervision. It would also provide a site which could be progressively developed, probably by the addicts themselves, so as to provide a substantial number of additional places for the treatment of addicts. For this reason, and because it will be necessary to control the access of the public to the beach on the western side of the island, it is proposed to make the Commissioner of Prisons responsible for the control of the whole island (other than that part which will be used for the explosives depot).

Services' Leave Centre

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The drug treatment centre will not require the group of buildings which are located on the north western headland, to the north of the pier. But it would be undesirable to open them to the general public while the treatment centre is there. This had made it possible to consider a long standing request by the Commander British Forces for a leave centre for junior services personnel and

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