ENG-1975 — Page 160

PUBLIC ORDER

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Sha Tsui has been in operation for three years and the results continue to be very encouraging. A sentence in Sha Tsui runs from a minimum of one month to a maximum of six months depending on progress. Release is followed by a compulsory period of six months' supervision under an aftercare officer.

Addiction Treatment Centres

Crime linked to narcotics is a perennial problem and drug addicts account for a high proportion of the prison population. As an alternative to imprisonment the Prisons Department runs special treatment centres to cope with this problem. There are three such centres for males and the first, at Tai Lam in the New Territories, was started as far back as 1958. It was so successful that another was established on Hei Ling Chau and then, more recently, the Tong Fuk Centre was set up on Lantau Island. Tong Fuk caters for young addicts under 21 years old. All female drug dependants are treated at the Tai Lam Centre for women. The treatment and rehabili- tation programme in these centres is unique. Medical care is followed by an active life with plenty of constructive work in an outdoor environment. Results show that drug dependants can be restored to health quickly in this way. A half-way house. named New Life House helps to span the gap between the centres and society.

Aftercare

Aftercare, specifically provided under the Training, Detention and Treatment Centres Ordinance, is carried out by officers of the Prisons Department and plays an important role in the rehabilitation of former inmates. Aftercare work starts soon after an inmate is admitted to a centre, when mutual trust and respect is fostered between the case worker and his client. The aftercare officer provides advice and assistance to former inmates and their families, and if necessary makes recommenda- tions for the inmates' recall for further training or treatment.

Staff

The Staff Training Institute at Stanley had one of its busiest years on record with the tremendous response to the department's recruitment drives. All newly recruited staff have to undergo a 12-month training programme at the institute and in the field. The training is comprehensive in theory and practice, and intermediate and advanced examinations are held.

Preventive Service

The Hong Kong Preventive Service is a disciplined force of 1,085 officers under the control of the Director of Commerce and Industry in his capacity as Commis- sioner.

The service is responsible for the collection and protection of revenue derived from the three categories of commodities which are dutiable-alocholic liquors, tobacco and hydrocarbon oils used for fuel for motor vehicles and aircraft. Controls over the import, export, manufacture, sale and storage of these commodities through- out Hong Kong are imposed by the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, which is admin- istered by the service. The success of revenue protection operations is reflected in