ENG-1998 — Page 224

HEALTH

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These anti-drugs efforts are co-ordinated by the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN), a non-statutory body which comprises 15 members, 13 of whom are non-official members. It advises the government on anti-drugs policies and activities and is serviced by the Narcotics Division of the Government Secretariat, which is headed by the Commissioner for Narcotics.

Legislation and Law Enforcement

In April 1998, the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering conducted on- site visits to Hong Kong with a view to evaluating the effectiveness of the local anti- money laundering regime including anti-money laundering legislation and law enforcement work. FATF is a reputable inter-governmental organisation concerned with combating money laundering. Hong Kong has been a member since 1990.

During the year, a review of the Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds) Ordinance was undertaken to identify areas where amendment to the legislation would make the anti-money laundering and confiscation provisions more efficient and effective. In August 1998, the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) (No. 2) Ordinance 1994 was brought into operation to implement provisions of the 1988 United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances by dealing with narcotic offences at sea.

In 1998, vigorous law enforcement efforts produced considerable success in terms of seizures and arrests, both at home and overseas. The Hong Kong Police Force and the Customs and Excise Department seized some 209 kilograms of heroin, 585 kilograms of cannabis, 168 kilograms of cocaine, 233 kilograms of methylamphetamine, and substantial quantities of various narcotics, analgesics and tranquillisers. In all, 10 773 persons were arrested for various drug offences. Joint operations with overseas law-enforcement agencies neutralised several international drug trafficking syndicates. Substantial quantities of dangerous drugs were seized and ringleaders arrested both locally and abroad.

Since the enactment of the Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds) Ordinance, assets valued at $321 million have been ordered confiscated, of which $217 million has been paid to the government. By the end of 1998, assets amounting to $154 million were under restraint.

Treatment and Rehabilitation

Hong Kong adopts a multi-modality approach in providing treatment and rehabilitation services to cater for the different needs of drug abusers from varying backgrounds. The main types of treatment and rehabilitation programmes include a compulsory drug addiction treatment programme operated by the Correctional Services Department for convicted drug abusers; a voluntary out-patient methadone programme provided by the Department of Health; voluntary residential treatment programmes run by non-governmental organisations including the Society for the Aid and Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers (SARDA) and several Christian therapeutic treatment agencies; counselling services for psychotropic substances abusers provided by PS33 of the Hong Kong Christian Service, Caritas HUGS Centre, Direction of SARDA and the Hong Kong Lutheran Social Service; and medical services for substance abusers provided by the Hospital Authority's six substance abuse clinics. Two teams of specially trained social workers under the Against Substance Abuse