ENG-1990 — Page 206

HEALTH

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committee is the government's advisory body on all anti-drugs policies and actions undertaken by government and non-government agencies. It is serviced by the Narcotics Division, which is headed by the Commissioner for Narcotics.

Legislation and Law Enforcement

The Police Force and the Customs and Excise Department seized some 70 kilograms of No. 3 heroin, 150 kilograms of No. 4 heroin and 2 600 kilograms of cannabis during the year. This included two large seizures of cannabis by the police. The first was a seizure of 980 kilograms in Aberdeen in July and the second a record seizure of 1 400 kilograms in Tuen Mun in October. Following joint operations with overseas law enforcement agencies, a number of international drug trafficking syndicates were neutralised with substantial quantities of drugs seized and ringleaders arrested locally and abroad. In 1990, police and customs action resulted in about 8 000 arrests for drug offences.

In view of the increasing number of young persons abusing psychotropic substances, three psychotropic drugs which are most liable to abuse, namely Flunitrazepam, Triazolam and Brotizolam, were included in the First Schedule to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance to subject them to stricter controls.

During the year, negotiations were conducted with a number of foreign jurisdictions with a view to enhancing international co-operation, particularly as regards the tracing and confiscation of the proceeds of drug trafficking.

Treatment and Rehabilitation

The voluntary methadone treatment programme operated by the Department of Health provides both maintenance and detoxification for out-patients. Methadone maintenance is designed to reduce or eliminate an addict's reliance on heroin or other opiate drugs, while the detoxification programme aims to eliminate dependence on any drug. The programme has proved to be very effective in serving both addicts and the community. There are 25 methadone clinics.

The largest voluntary in-patient treatment programme is run by the Society for the Aid and Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers (SARDA) which operates an in-patient treatment centre for up to 380 men on the island of Shek Kwu Chau, and one for up to 40 women at Sha Tin. Linked to these centres are three intake units, five regional social service centres, six halfway houses, an employment placement office and a clinic which provides pre-admission medical examination and methadone treatment, urine analysis and post- discharge medical care.

A compulsory treatment programme is operated by the Correctional Services Depart- ment under the Drug Addiction Treatment Centres Ordinance. The department runs two addiction treatment centres, one for up to 938 males on the island of Hei Ling Chau and the other for 100 females at Tai Lam Chung. These treatment programmes range from two to 12 months, the actual period being determined by the inmate's progress and the likelihood of continued abstinence from drugs following release. All persons discharged are given one year of statutory after-care.

In 1990, the two voluntary treatment programmes and the Correctional Services Department's compulsory treatment programme admitted 14 000 addicts. On average, 14 100 addicts and ex-addicts were receiving some form of treatment, rehabilitation or after-care every day.