ENG-2006 — Page 389

Public Order | 321

Research

Findings from drug-related research studies provide useful reference material to facilitate the Government's formulation of anti-drug strategies and programmes. Three studies carried forward from previous years on the harmful effects of cough mixture abuse; the drug abuse situation among ethnic minorities; and developing a supplementary drug abuse monitoring system were completed during the year.

The cough mixture study confirmed that there was a definite association between cough mixture abuse and folate deficiency. Folate deficiency would in turn cause severe damage to one's brain and nervous system and may even lead to severe permanent disabilities. Pregnant mothers who indulged in cough mixture abuse would cause severe brain damage to the foetus.

Heroin was the most common drug abused by ethnic minorities, followed by cannabis and cough syrup. The abusers encountered different problems such as difficulty in handling relationship with family members and in job seeking. Language training was the most desired service provided to drug abusers to distract them from their problems, followed by outpatient service, community integration and employment services.

The supplementary system drew together drug-related statistics that were compiled currently and kept by different departments and agencies in Hong Kong. With the system, policy-makers could more readily identify problems and formulate corresponding programmes and measures to tackle them.

One ongoing study on meta-analysis of acupuncture therapy in treatment of heroin dependence was carried over from the previous year. A study on parents' participation in anti-drug work was launched recently.

International Action and Regional Cooperation

The Government continued to participate actively in international forums against drug abuse, drug trafficking and money laundering. Apart from fulfilling its obligations under the three major United Nations (UN) conventions concerning narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, it also maintains close links with the UN, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol), and the World Customs Organisation, to ensure that Hong Kong's anti- drug and anti-money laundering work remains in step with current international standards and requirements. The Government keeps in touch with various jurisdictions to share Hong Kong's experience with them and to foster closer working ties. The Police Force and Customs and Excise Department have also established cooperative arrangements with their Mainland and overseas counterparts on intelligence exchange, joint operations and experience-sharing.

In March, representatives from the Narcotics Division attended the 49th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs held in Vienna, as members of the Chinese delegation.

To promote better communication and cooperation among Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macao in tackling drug abuse and trafficking, tripartite activities in