CONFIDENTIAL
HONG KONG'S DRUG PROBLEM
BRIEF H
Background
1. Hong Kong has a considerable drugs problem and the number of drug addicts in the colony has been estimated at 80-100,000. The indications are that the Hong Kong Government is not doing badly in
its fight to contain the problem. Indeed it has met with considerable success in recent years, particularly in breaking up drug syndicates and thus reducing the flow of drugs into Hong Kong. There is also evidence that the proportion of young persons taking dangerous drugs
has been decreasing.
2.
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The problem is topical and may become more so. Mr Frank Hooley MP (Labour Sheffield, Heeley) has tabled a number of Questions this month about various effects of the problem. There has been press and television coverage of the expulsion from the Netherlands of Chinese (many from Hong Kong) connected with various crime syndicates; publicity arising from a court case in this country in which a number of those found guilty were from Hong Kong; and the matter is likely to remain in the public eye. It is understood that the BBC are planning three programmes on Hong Kong in the near future, one of which will cover its drugs problem while Jon Swain of the "Sunday Times" is planning to go to Hong Kong to write articles on its drug problem.
3. The Hong Kong Government Office have been reluctant recently to seek to promote favourable publicity about Hong Kong's performance in the field of drug prevention for fear that it might be counter- productive. This is a matter for the Hong Kong Government's judgement but the Minister may wish to offer our help to the Governor in promoting a better image for Hong Kong in this field.
Line to Take
4.
There seems to be increasing interest in the UK in your drugs problem. I know you are fighting it hard, and if there is anything I can do to help by way of advice or publicity, in association with the Hong Kong Government Office, I hope you will let me know.
CONFIDENTIAL
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