TNAG-1106-FCO40-1356-Narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 20

G.S. 166

CONFIDENTIAL #

For discussion

on 23rd June 1981

нии здов

ALLUVIE RETRY NO. 51

29 JUN 1921

XCC(81)66

Copy No

of 80

...

Pas 24/6

MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1981

PA 366

Annexed for Members' consideration is a bill to amend the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Chapter 134). Its main purpose is to protect the confidentiality of records on drug addicts kept by the Central Registry of Drug Addicts and its reporting agencies.

The Central Registry of Drug Addicts

2.

The Central Registry of Drug Addicts set up in 1972 was drastically reorganised in 1976 on the advice of Mr. Bent Werbell, a U.S. expert consultant in drug addiction statistics. Since August 1977, the records of individual addicts have been computerised and up to March 1981, seven statistical reports on the overall drug addiction situation, and five special studies on the principal treatment programmes, have been produced by the Central Registry, which is maintained by the Narcotics Division of Security Branch.

3.

(a)

(b)

(c)

The objectives of the Central Registry are

to identify trends in the nature of drug addiction and in the addict population in Hong Kong over time;

to describe certain characteristics of the reported drug addict population and to compare these characteristics between drug addicts reported from specific sources; and

to evaluate the effectiveness of various treatment and rehabilitation programmes on the basis of information concerning the histories of drug addicts who have contact with various agencies.

/The

CONFIDENTIAL #3