ENG-1974 — Page 120

HEALTH

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co-operation with the Mental Health Service assist in the rehabilitation of patients before their return to full activities in the community.

Drug Dependence

Following a comprehensive review of the problem of dangerous drugs in Hong Kong in all its aspects, the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) was reconstituted in January 1974 with strengthened terms of reference and a more com- pact membership. It is now the sole advisory instrument of the government in all policy matters relating to the interdiction of illicit drug trafficking into and through Hong Kong and the eradication of drug abuse from the community. It is serviced by a small secretariat headed by the Commissioner for Narcotics in the office of the Secretary for Security.

Drug addiction remains a serious social problem in Hong Kong, with perhaps as many as 100,000 persons, mostly male, addicted to opium or heroin. This represents about two per cent of the population. A central register of drug addicts was established in April 1972. It has now received some 50,000 returns from reporting agencies indicating that there are at least that number of addicts in the community-

To spearhead the development of treatment and rehabilitation programmes for addicts commensurate with the size of the problem being faced, a narcotics and drugs administration division has been created in the Medical and Health Department. Hong Kong is fortunate in possessing some excellent programmes of drug treatment and rehabilitation, but they are limited in size. Considerable expansion will be essential if the back of the addiction problem is to be broken. This is now being actively examined.

The Society for the Aid and Rehabilitation of Drug Addicts remains the largest agency to treat addicts on a voluntary basis. It has accommodation for 500 male addicts at its centre on Shek Kwu Chau island. Residence there is entirely voluntary, addicts being free to leave at any time they wish following detoxification, though all are encouraged to complete the full course of treatment, and about half do so. Experience indicates that the policy of giving an addict complete freedom of choice regarding the length of his residence in the centre is the correct one. Apart from enabling the turnover of addicts to be profitably increased, this policy has greatly improved the atmosphere there.

The Discharged Prisoners Aid Society operates a small residential drug treatment and rehabilitation centre at Yuen Long, New Territories, for 24 voluntary male addicts who are members and who have taken to, or relapsed into drug abuse upon release from prison. Both societies operate small sections for women drug addicts.

Two methadone maintenance pilot projects were started in December 1972 in an attempt to determine whether or not this form of therapy has a place among Hong Kong's drug treatment programmes. One project is run by the Medical and Health Department for 550 addicts, the other by the Discharged Prisoners Aid Society for 100 addicts. Both are voluntary schemes programmed and funded to operate for three years when they will be critically evaluated. The admission criteria and other procedures

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