NCJ Number
214603
Date Published
2005
Length
37 pages
Annotation
Based on personal interviews at admission to Hong Kong's Drug Addiction Treatment Center (DATC) in 2004, this report provides information on participants' personal and family characteristics, residence, drug addiction, and criminal history.
Abstract
A total of 1,324 sentenced offenders were admitted to the compulsory drug treatment program in 2004, a 3-percent increase from 2003. The number of men admitted (1,126) increased 4 percent, and the number of women (198) decreased 1 percent. Approximately 12 percent of those entering the program were between the ages of 14 and 20. The median age was 29 for the men, the same as in 2003; and for the women, the median age was 27, 2 years lower than in 2003. Approximately 85 percent of the youth and 77 percent of the adults were born in Hong Kong; and 12 percent and 16 percent, respectively, were born in Mainland China. Other personal information provided in the report addresses educational achievement, employment, marital status, living arrangement, district of residence, and type of housing. Data on drug abuse cover age at first use, reason for starting drugs and peer associations at the time, types of drugs abused, daily cost of drugs, method of taking drugs, purchase of drugs by district, and length of addiction. Criminal-history information addresses triad (gang) affiliation, age at first conviction, first offense, previous convictions, previous institutional sentences, and the current offense. The DATC is administered by the Correctional Services Department. It provides residential treatment for convicted drug addicts as an alternative to imprisonment. The program aims to restore physical health, eliminate psychological and emotional dependence on drugs, and facilitate reintegration into the community. These goals are pursued through medical care, exercise programs, work programs, individual and group counseling, and aftercare services. Numerous tables and figures