TNAG-1106-FCO40-1356-Narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 7

BACKGROUND NOTE

Drug abuse is a long-standing problem in Hong Kong. The Government's

policy is to stop trafficking, to rehabilitate addicts and prevent

others from experimenting with drugs. The continued success of the

effort against trafficking is born out not only by the amounts

seized but also by the high price of drugs on the market. In 1980

30 per cent more addicts than 5 years previously were receiving some

form of treatment and addicts under 21 in prison decreased from

25 per cent in 1969 to 3.4 per cent in 1980.