ENG-1977 — Page 137

84

HEALTH

reports on a regular basis and reveal, among other things, the trends and character- istics of drug abuse and whether the problem is spreading to any new areas. Such information will be extremely useful to the government in planning its anti-narcotics efforts in the most cost-effective manner.

On the prevention of drug abuse, the government launched its biggest-ever pre- ventive education and publicity campaign in 1977. Work in this area focused on foster- ing public awareness of the problem and preventing young people from experimenting with drugs. The campaign consisted of a series of projects spread throughout the year and was aimed at different target audiences.

Externally, Hong Kong continued to play an active role in international action against drug trafficking and drug abuse. Close co-operation was maintained with the United Nations and other inter-governmental agencies such as the Colombo Plan and the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol). In November, the government sponsored a United Nations drug law enforcement training course in Hong Kong for senior police and Customs officers from various countries. In August, a government officer experienced in drug prevention was sent to Pakistan, where he attended a six-day national workshop on drug abuse prevention as a consultant. During the year, Hong Kong made its third annual contribution of $100,000 to the United Nations Fund for Drug Abuse Control (UNFDAC). The money will be used to support UNFDAC's worldwide control efforts, which include opium poppy crop substitution programmes being conducted in the so-called 'Golden Triangle'. This opium-growing area, where the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos meet, supplies virtually all of Hong Kong's opiate drugs.

Although the abuse of psychotropic substances (commonly known as 'soft' or synthetic 'drugs) in Hong Kong is not yet a problem, the government believes that timely preventive measures must be taken. In January, the government took the first step to tighten controls on psychotropic substances by including amphetamines, a stimulant, and methaqualone, a tranquiliser, in the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. Under this ordinance, penalties for serious offences involving amphetamines and methaqualone will be comparable to those involving opiates a maximum of life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.

Medical Fees

A nominal charge of $1 a visit is made at government general and specialist outpatient clinics for medicine and diagnostic investigations. No charge is made for people attending maternal and child health, tuberculosis, social hygiene and leprosy clinics. Treatment at certain remote clinics and on floating clinics also is free. The daily maintenance and treatment fee for patients admitted to the general wards of govern- ment hospitals was raised from $3 to $5 on April 1. For those who cannot pay this fee, provision has been made for it to be either waived or reduced. A limited number of private rooms are provided at major hospitals. The charges for these are much higher and, in addition, all treatment is chargeable.

Training

Graduates of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong receive Bachelor of Surgery and Bachelor of Medicine degrees that have been recognised by the