ENG-1959 — Page 252

208

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT

manufacture of heroin is now controlled by legislation specifically introduced for the purpose.

There is a very close connexion between addiction to narcotics on the one hand and crime on the other. The percentage of self- declared drug addicts among prisoners decreased from 78% in January 1958 to 67% in October 1959, but even the lower figure is an alarming one. It is the Government's policy to redeem as many addicts as possible and all addicted prisoners receive special treatment in prisons and in particular in H.M. Prison, Tai Lam, described on page 224, a special institution for the treatment and rehabilitation of convicted addicts. Voluntary treatment centres for drug addicts are also being planned by both the Government and voluntary agencies.

On 11th November 1959, a White Paper on the Problem of Narcotic Drugs in Hong Kong was laid before Legislative Council, outlining the extent of the problem and the measures already taken to suppress addiction and trafficking, and appealing to the public for support in a sustained campaign. Copies of the White Paper were widely distributed and talks and dramatic plays on the subject were broadcast by Radio Hong Kong. There is already evidence of increasing public awareness of the dangers of drug addiction.

The Secretary for Chinese Affairs has been entrusted with the co-ordination of general policy in the war against narcotics. To advise him, a Narcotics Advisory Committee was appointed com- posed of the Chinese Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils and two of their European colleagues.

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