TNAG-0561-FCO40-656-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 95

CONFIDENTIAL

111. ''HONG KONG MAINTAINS CLOSE COOPERATION WITH THE UNITED NATIONS, INTERPOL AND OTHER COUNTRIES THROUGHOUT SOUTH EAST ASIA IN TACKLING THE NARCOTICS PROBLEM. IN ADDITION TO THE LIAISON OFFICER IN BANGKOK, AN OFFICER FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE HAS RECENTLY BEEN ATTACHED TO INTERPOL HEADQUARTERS AS THE FAR EASTERN LIAISON OFFICER. THIS WILL FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE TIES WITH ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN OTHER COUNTRIES AND FACILITATE THE FLOW

OF INTELLIGENCE."

IV,

THE CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ADDICTS HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED SINCE 1972 IT IS UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS.

REGISTRATION IS VOLUNTARY AS COMPULSORY REGISTRATION IS NOT YET

PRACTICABLE. GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WHICH

COME INTO DIRECT OR INDIRECT CONTACT WITH DRUG ADDICTS PROVIDE

THE REGISTRY WITH PARTICULARS OF INDIVIDUAL ADDICTS. TO DATE, THE REGISTRY HAS RECEIVED OVER 96,000 RETURNS, AND TWO ANALYSIS REPORTS HAVE BEEN PREPARED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

THE PRESENT REGISTRY IS LARGELY EXPERIMENTAL. STEPS ARE NOW BEING TAKEN TO REFINE ITS OPERATIONS, SO AS TO OBTAIN MORE ACCURATE AND RELIABLE DATA. IN ADDITION, THE POSSIBILITY OF ENLISTING THE

ADVICE OF AN EXPERT IN THIS FIELD IS BEING CONSIDERED.''

MACLEHOSE

FILES

FKIOD

PS

FS/LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

PS/FUS

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CONFIDENTIAL

COPIES TO

HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE

LONDON