TNAG-0561-FCO40-656-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 88

BACKGROUND NOTE

NARCOTICS

1. There are estimated to be about 100,000 addicts in Hong

Kong. In 1972 the Hong Kong Government appointed a Commissioner for Narcotics to deal with the problem. Recommendations by the

Narcotics Commissioner for new measures to intensify the drive

against drug addiction have been embodied in a White Paper. The Royal Hong Kong Police Narcotics Bureau in Hong Kong has also been reconstructed and its priorities reassessed. There is close liaison between the Hong Kong Government,

the FCO and the Home Office about action in the international

field against the illicit traffic in drugs to Hong Kong from the "Golden Triangle" area. Wider cooperation is being

fostered through a series of tripartite meetings with the US

and Hong Kong. There is also close cooperation with the UN, Interpol and other countries in the region. The posting

of a liaison officer from the Hong Kong police to the British Embassy in Bangkok in November 1973, for the purpose of improving the flow of information from those countries

which are the source of drugs entering Hong Kong, has proved

successful.

2. All this activity is beginning to show results. There

have been several recent seizures of large drug consignments

and several drug syndicates in Hong Kong have been broken

up or disrupted. As a direct result of these operations,

drugs are now in short supply in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong

Government has plans to increase drug treatment and rehabilitation services. By 1980, they hope to be able to treat about 35,000 addicts a year.