Public Order | 323
Narcotics Division
The Narcotics Division (ND) of Security Bureau co-ordinates anti-drug policies and measures, particularly the youth drug abuse problem, which has deteriorated in recent years. It also oversees anti-money laundering and countering terrorist financing in respect of non-financial sectors.
Overall Strategy and Co-ordination
The Government adopts a five-pronged approach in the fight against drug abuse, as embodied in the report of the Task Force on Youth Drug Abuse led by the Secretary for Justice. The strategy involves legislation and law enforcement, education and publicity, treatment and rehabilitation, research, and external co-operation. A 'Path Builders' platform has been launched to help foster a caring culture for young people.
The Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN), a non-statutory body comprising professionals in the medical, youth service, education, media, community service, parent education, legal and anti-drug fields, advises the Government on anti-drug strategies. Headed by a non-official, it has five official and 17 non-official members. The officials are the Commissioner for Narcotics and representatives from the Education Bureau (EDB), the Hong Kong Police Force, the Department of Health (DH) and the Social Welfare Department (SWD). Under an arrangement between Singapore and Hong Kong, the director of Singapore's Central Narcotics Bureau also sits on the committee. ACAN is underpinned by two subcommittees on preventive education and publicity and on
on treatment and rehabilitation. These comprise members with diverse backgrounds and expertise.
Efforts were made to step up the anti-drug campaign along five strategic directions promulgated by the Chief Executive: community mobilisation, community support, drug testing, treatment, and law enforcement.
Legislation and Enforcement
The ND and relevant departments monitor closely the changing drug scene. Existing laws are regularly reviewed to cope with any emerging threat. The Police, the Customs and Excise Department and the DH spare no efforts in taking actions against drug crimes. A total of 1 364 kilogrammes, 377 litres and 165 086 tablets of dangerous drugs were seized in 2010 and 6 399 persons were arrested for drug- related offences.
Treatment and Rehabilitation
The ND works with its anti-drug partners to provide a variety of treatment and rehabilitation services for drug abusers from different backgrounds. The major services include a compulsory drug treatment programme run by the Correctional Services Department, a voluntary methadone outpatient treatment programme operated by the DH, and voluntary residential programmes run by non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The Hospital Authority has been providing psychiatric treatment for substance abusers through its substance abuse clinics at all seven hospital clusters. In addition, counselling centres for psychotropic substance abusers
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