TNAG-0690-FCO40-839-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 47

G I de Deney Esq

CONFIDENTIAL

2

21 February 1977

3. Our non-professional impression in the FCO is that the Hong Kong Government's performance in dealing with the drugs problem is not at all bad. They seem to have met with considerable success in recent years in breaking up drug syndicates and in thus reducing the flow of drugs into Hong Kong. There is evidence that the proportion of young persons in Hong Kong taking dangerous drugs is decreasing. The FCO Overseas Police Adviser, who has recently visited Hong Kong, has reported that the Royal Hong Kong Police's Narcotics Bureau is one of the most efficient that he has seen on visits to police forces overseas. It has an inter- national reputation and provides a fund of information on the illegal trade in narcotics emanating from South East Asia. I have noted too that the UN Narcotics Division in Geneva has recently sought to enlist the assistance of the Hong Kong authorities in conducting a pilot study into drug abuse. (Mr Lee's letter of 29 January to the UK Mission in Geneva, copied to you.) This certainly suggests that Hong Kong has a certain standing inter- nationally for what it is doing in the field of drug prevention and treatment.

4.

Against this background it is unfortunate that the public in this country is given the impression that Hong Kong is a place where possession, trafficking in and use of drugs goes on quite unchecked. That, certainly, is what the average reader of the popular press would be led to conclude. We should therefore like to consider, in consultation with the Hong Kong Government, whether there is any action that we could usefully take to "correct" Hong Kong's image with regard to drugs. Before taking the matter any further, however, we should welcome any views you may have about the success (or otherwise) of the Hong Kong authorities in coping with the various aspects of the drugs problem in the Colony. Any further information beyond that supplied in Dr Summerskill's Answer to Mr Hooley's PQ about the extent to which drugs enter the UK from Hong Kong would also be welcome.

5.

Incidentally, I think it would be useful if our two Departments were to consult one another in dealing with any further Pqs about the drugs problem in Hong Kong and its possible implications for the UK. Provided time allows, we, for our part, will endeavour to consult youbbefore submitting draft replies.

Cc:

Mr Macoun OPA Mr Morgan UND

D F Milton

Hong Kong Department

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CONFIDENTIAL