TNAG-0690-FCO40-839-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 133

CONFIDENTIAL

7) THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS CURRENTLY SPENDING OVER DOLLARS HK 40 MILLION A YEAR ON THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS, OF WHICH APPROXIMATELY DOLLARS HK 27 MILLION A YEAR IS FOR THE TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDICTS, THE AVERAGE DAILY POPULATION IN THE 4 DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRES WITH RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES ADMINISTERED -BY THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT WAS 1,588 IN DECEMBER 1976. THE SOCIETY

FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ADDICTS, WHICH RECEIVES ALMOST ALL ITS FINANCE FROM THE GOVERNMENT, OPERATES 2 RESIDENTIAL

CENTRES WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 580. THE HONG KONG DISCHARGED PRISONERS' AID SOCIETY SIMILARLY OPE? ATES A SMALL CENTRE WITH A CAPACITY OF 34. IN ADDITION, THERE ARE 4 METHADONE MAINTENANCE CLINICS AND 16 METHADONE DETOXIFICATION CLINICS OPERATED BY THE GOVERNMENT MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT. APPROXIMATELY 12,000 ADDICTS ARE NOW UNDERGOING VARIOUS PROGRAMMES OF TREATMENT, REHABILITATION AND AFTER-CARE AT THE VARIOUS CENTRES AND CLINICS MENTIONED ABOVE. WITH AN ANNUAL CASELOAD OF ABOUT 20,000, THIS MEANS THAT AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT DOLLARS HK1,300 IS BEING SPENT ON EACH CASE EVERY YEAR.

MACLEHOSE

FILES

HO

IED

SHAD

UND

LEGAL ADVISERS

PS/LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

PS/MR LUARD

MR CORRAZZI

MR MURRAY

COPIES TO:

MR KIDD,

HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE 6 GRAFTON STREET, W.Ï.

MR LIPSEY

PRIVATE OFFICE

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CONFIDENTAL