ENG-1975 — Page 115

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HEALTH

static clinics and two mobile clinics under the control of registered medical practi- tioners, and 334 clinics registered with exemption, making a total of 412. The low-cost medical care scheme, in which clinics are set up in public housing estates by registered medical practitioners, continues to operate.

Special Services

The Institute of Pathology maintains clinical pathology and public health labora- tory services for the government and a consultant service for the government- assisted sector. It also undertakes studies in various fields. The production of vaccine is carried out at the Institute of Immunology.

The Institute of Radiology and Oncology provides both diagnostic and thera- peutic services at hospitals and clinics. The staff also give advice on radiation safety in the commercial and industrial fields. Research is being continued on the epidemio- logy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The Government Laboratory provides specialist practical and consulting services in chemistry and related sciences for government departments and other agencies. Work ranges from the examination of samples of food, liquor, pharmaceutical preparations, and types of materials, to forensic science work and toxicology.

Drug Dependence

Drug abuse, mainly in the form of opium and heroin, continues to be a serious problem in Hong Kong. It affects an estimated 100,000 people, mostly males, or about two per cent of the population. A central register of drug addicts, started in 1972, has now received some 80,000 returns from reporting agencies. Returns are continuing to come in at an average of 2,000 a month.

It is the policy of the government to interdict the illicit trafficking of dangerous drugs into and through Hong Kong and to eradicate drug abuse from the community. The Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) advises the government on nar- cotic matters in respect of both policy and allocation of resources. It is serviced by a Narcotics Secretariat, headed by the Commissioner for Narcotics.

In the programmes of drug treatment and rehabilitation, considerable expansion of facilities is being planned in order to provide treatment en masse at a reasonable cost. It is the responsibility of the narcotics and drugs administration division in the Medical and Health Department to develop treatment plans, conduct research, and implement and supervise programmes.

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 and aftercare services are provided.

The Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society operates a small residential drug treatment and rehabilitation centre at Yuen Long in the New Territories for those who have taken to or relapsed into drug abuse upon release from prison.