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93. Much reliance was put on psychotropic drugs, and it became increasingly clear that maintenance treatment of many schizophrenics over a long period of time could result in a drop in the relapse rate. 94. Increasing efforts were made to rehabilitate the long-stay and grossly mentally handicapped patients, the aim being to make them fit lo carn their living. Two wards were specially set up for this purpose. The usual therapeutic measures including occupational therapy, group therapy and re-education were intensively used but emphasis was placed on training in activities having a direct bearing on their work after leaving hospital. By these means a number of patients found employment while still in hospital. They were later discharged for full time employ- ment. Planning is in progress for another Mental Hospital which will be sited at Lai Chi Kok.

Psychiatric Centres (See table 53)

95. The Yau Ma Tei Psychiatric Centre provides treatment for both out and day-patients including follow-up cases from Castle Peak Hospital. A Child Psychiatric Unit was set up in the same centre. The Day Hospital was found to be most useful for treating psychoneurotics and disturbed adolescents and children especially. On the island the Hong Kong Psychiatric Centre continues to see out and day-patients, follow-up cases from Castle Peak Hospital as well as forensic cases and referrals from the University Child Guidance Centre and Queen Mary Hospital. In addition to these centres, psychiatric services are provided for Psychiatric Observation Unit in Victoria Remand Prison and for the mentally sub-normal in the Aberdeen Rehabilitation Centre.

New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association

96.

This Association, with the close co-operation of the Mental Health Service, opened a 'New Life Rehabilitation' Farm adjacent to Castle Peak Hospital for the benefit of discharged patients requiring a period of orientation before returning to full social and economic activities in the community. The Association already runs a 'Half-way House in Hung Hom-a hostel where certain selected discharged patients from Castle Peak Hospital spend a transitional period before return to normal society.

Drug Addiction Treatment

97. A centre situated in Castle Peak Hospital and opened in March, 1961 continued to provide treatment on a voluntary basis for male drug addicts up to November 1965. It was then closed down following the

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completion of direct admission facilities at Shek Kwu Chau, and all drug addiction patients at Castle Peak were transferred to Shek Kwu Chau for treatment. The Shek Kwu Chau Drug Addiction Treatment Centre is maintained by the Society for the Aid and Rehabilitation of Drug Addicts, aided by Government subvention.

98. An attempt has been made by the Psychiatric Social Work Unit of the Drug Addiction Section of the Mental Health Service to follow up the voluntary patients who were wholly treated in the former Castle Peak Drug Addiction Treatment Centre before the opening of the Shek Kwu Chau Centre. This group of persons had remained in close contact with the psychiatric social workers of the Castle Peak Centre, and had organized themselves into an informal social and recreational group so that it was possible to know with considerable accuracy whether or not they bad relapsed. The total number followed up was 314. A pamphlet outlining the scientific basis of assessing the effectiveness of treatment and the results of follow-up of this group of patients has been printed for general information.

The Anti-Narcotic Campaign

99. The anti-narcotic campaign, organized by the Medical and Health Department in conjunction with ACAN (Action Committee Against Narcotics), was launched in November, 1967 and lasted for one month. Widest publicity to the campaign was given through the press. radio, television interviews as well as the showing of the film. 'Suicide on Hire Purchase', in schools and slides in theatres; posters were put up at public buildings, in resettlement estates, public transports and many other public places and leaflets were also distributed through public and voluntary agencies. The emphasis of the campaign was on the preventive aspect of drug addiction and publicity was directed primarily towards education of the young.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES HOSPITALS

100. There are two hospitals which admit patients suffering from infectious diseases the Sai Ying Pun Hospital on Hong Kong istand and the Lai Chi Kok Hospital in Kowloon; the latter also provides some accommodation for convalescent cases from the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth Hospitals.

101. The general pattern of admissions followed the trend ex- perienced in previous years. There was a further reduction in the number of admissions for diphtheria and poliomyelitis.

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