NCJ Number
58019
Date Published
Unknown
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THE NATURE AND METHODS OF CONSUMPTION OF DRUGS USED PREVALENTLY IN HONG KONG ARE DESCRIBED, AND THE DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR DRUG-DEPENDENT OFFENDERS IS DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE OPIUM-MORPHINE-HEROIN GROUP OF DRUGS IS HEAVILY USED IN HONG KONG, ALONG WITH BARBITURATES AND AMPHETAMINES DEVELOPED FOR MEDICAL USE. PARTICULAR ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO THE EFFECTS OF HEROIN, POPULAR METHODS OF CONSUMPTION, AND THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. UNTIL 1958, PEOPLE FOUND TO BE DRUG DEPENDENT UPON ADMISSION TO PRISON RECEIVED THE SAME TREATMENT AS OTHER PRISONERS. IN 1958, THE NUCLEUS OF A DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR OFFENDERS WAS BEGUN. THE PRESENT PROGRAM OPERATES UNDER THE DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTERS ORDINANCE, WHICH BECAME LAW IN 1969. UNDER THIS ORDINANCE, THE GOVERNOR MAY APPOINT ANY PLACE OF FACILITY TO BE AN ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTER FOR THE CURE AND REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS WHO ARE ADDICTED TO ANY DANGEROUS DRUG. THE COURT MAY ORDER TREATMENT IN SUCH AN ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTER IN LIEU OF IMPOSING ANY OTHER SENTENCE. THE PERIOD OF DETENTION FOR TREATMENT IS FROM A MINIMUM OF 6 MONTHS TO A MAXIMUM OF 18 MONTHS, FOLLOWED BY A COMPULSORY PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS OF AFTERCARE. THE PROGRESS OF EACH INMATE IS REGULARLY REVIEWED BY A BOARD WHICH MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS FOR DISCHARGE. THERE ARE THREE TREATMENT CENTERS. THE PROGRAM AT EACH IS COMPREHENSIVE AND INCLUDES MEDICAL TREATMENT, PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT THROUGH INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COUNSELING, A WORK PROGRAM AIMED AT INSTILLING GOOD WORK HABITS, AND A FULL RANGE OF WELFARE AND AFTERCARE SERVICES. ALTHOUGH A CLIENT MAY HAVE ACHIEVED SUFFICIENT PROGRESS TO BE DISCHARGED, HE IS NOT RELEASED UNTIL HE HAS EMPLOYMENT OR IS ENROLLED IN AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM. AFTERCARE PROGRAMS OF A HALFWAY HOUSE AND A CLUB FOR FORMER DRUG ABUSERS ARE BRIEFLY DESCRIBED, ALONG WITH A DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAM GEARED SPECIFICALLY TO FEMALE OFFENDERS. (RCB)