ENG-1969 — Page 222

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PUBLIC ORDER

and, through a unique programme developed since the centre was opened in 1958, has achieved encouraging results. All necessary phases of treatment are followed, including statutory after-care. A milestone in the field of treatment and rehabilitation of drug- dependents was reached early this year when the Drug Addiction Treatment Centres Ordinance 1968 came into operation whereby a court is able to order a person known to be drug-dependent to be detained in a treatment centre from 6 to 18 months in lieu of imprisonment. Detainees are subject to one year's supervision on release and may be recalled if the terms of the Supervision Order are not complied with. The centre carries out an extensive programme of research of which details are published annually. The average inmate population of the centre was 486 at the end of 1969.

This year has continued to be one of great activity in preparation for new institutions at Tai Lam (Women's Centre opened in November), Siu Lam (Prisons Department Mental Hospital) and Dragon's Back (Training Centre for young male offenders). Plans are also in hand for a new Reception and Classification Centre for men, an open prison for men and two additional training centres for young male offenders, one of which will be a maximum security institution.

FIRE SERVICES

The Fire Services Department is divided into four commands— Fire Services Headquarters, Fire Prevention Bureau, Hong Kong Island and Marine Command, and Mainland Command. Hong Kong Island and Marine Command are responsible for fire fighting and emergency operations on the island of Hong Kong, the off-shore islands, the harbour and surrounding waters. Mainland Command is similarly responsible for Kowloon and the New Territories.

The service continued to expand during the year both in per- sonnel and equipment in order to keep pace with the Colony's industrial and social development. The current authorised establish- ment of 2,907 all ranks represents an increase of 259 over last year and places this service as the second largest in the British Commonwealth outside the British Isles.

Whilst fire and emergency calls for the year remained at about the 1968 level the direct financial fire loss rose by approximately