TNAG-0690-FCO40-839-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 112

G. F. 324

App.C

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At a glance, there are certain similarities between the U.N. pilot study and the exercise being undertaken by our Central Registry. First, both aim to find out the prevalence and incidence of Drug Abuse, the characteristics of drug abusers and their trends over time. Second, both use a similar data collection method, i.e. by distributing standardized reporting forms to agencies likely to have contacts with drug abusers. These similarities, however, do not make the two projects completely compatible, as the proposed U.N. study has other differing objectives. This is best illustrated by an examination of the relevant report forms attached as Appendices B (our C.R.D.A. form) and C (the proposed U.N. form).

Despite similarities in data collection methods, designs of the two reporting forms are different. The C.R.D.A. form collects only current drug abuse information, as, given the varied background of addicts, this is believed to be the only reliable information we can expect. The U.N. form, on the other hand, seeks data in retrospect over the lifetime of the addict. It is due to these dissimilarities that data required by these projects are considerably different. It would be impossible, therefore, for sufficient data to be extracted from the C.R.D. A. file to fulfil the requirements of the U.N. project, or vice versa. The above has ruled out the possibility of incorporating one study into the other. If Hong Kong were to undertake the U.N. study, therefore, it would have to be a separate project complete in itself. We, however, do not consider that this course of action is possible owing to a lack of resources, and the possibility, even were resources available, of confusion between the two forms at the reporting centres, which would militate against the accuracy of both.

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We estimate that the U.N. project, if carried out on a Hong Kong wide basis, would require human and financial recourses comparable to that of our C.R.D.A. exercise. In other words, even ignoring the financial implica- tions, we would still have to put in as much manpower for the U.N. project as for our C.R.D.A. It is very doubtful whether additional manpower could be obtained. implementing phase one of our C.R.D.A. project, we have practically exhausted all manpower available in Government and voluntary agencies for drug abuse data collection purposes. The implementation of phase two this year will inevitably create an even heavier strain. As the Hong Kong Government has high hopes for this new Central Registry, and has determined that every effort must be given to ensure its success, we are not in a position to divert our limited resources to another purpose. Under the circumstances, regrettably, we have to decline the U.N. offer. We shall, however, be delighted to share with the Division of Narcotic Drugs and any other U.N. organisations, the results and experience derived from our new Central Registry.

/I shall be

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