ENG-1992 — Page 182

HEALTH

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effectiveness of these treatment programmes reduces the demand for illicit drugs. At the same time, the government places great emphasis on preventive education and publicity to heighten public awareness of the drug problem and to promote the advantages of a drug-free lifestyle. Co-operation at the international level, through exchange of information and experience and joint action against illicit trafficking, enhances the effectiveness of efforts in these three areas.

These efforts are co-ordinated by the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN), a non-statutory body which includes both non-official and government members. The committee is the government's advisory body on all anti-drug 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 Dangerous Drugs Ordinance is the main piece of legislation dealing with drug offences. In June, amendments to the ordinance were passed which modified and repealed presumptions which were incompatible with the Bill of Rights, raised the maximum fines for the offences of possession of dangerous drugs and revised the definition of drug trafficking to include the offence of possession of dangerous drugs for the purpose of unlawful trafficking. As a further deterrent to the abuse of psychotropic substances by - youngsters, all benzodiazepines liable to abuse were included in the first schedule to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance in October 1991. The full sanctions and controls provided under the ordinance have been applied, with effect from January 1992, with regard to the possession, import, export, supply and otherwise dealing with benzodiazepines.

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The Royal Hong Kong Police and the Customs and Excise Department seized some 580 kilograms of No. 4 heroin, 3 000 kilograms of cannabis and 17 kilograms of methylamphetamine (or 'ice') during the year. These included the seizure of 396 kilograms of No. 4 heroin in June, 1 555 kilograms of cannabis in May and 15 kilograms of methyl- amphetamine in May. Following joint operations with overseas law enforcement agencies, a number of international drug trafficking syndicates were neutralised with substantial quantities of dangerous drugs seized and ringleaders arrested locally and abroad. In 1992, police and customs action resulted in the arrest of 8 900 persons for drug offences.

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 abuser'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 drug abusers and the community. There are 24 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 four regional social service centres, five halfway houses, a job skill training laboratory and a clinic which provides pre-admission medical examination, counselling and detoxification services, urine analysis and post-discharge medical care.