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Following is a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, to a question by the Hon James To on the problem of Hong Kong children and youth taking or trafficking drugs in the Mainland in the Legislative Council today (March 7):
Question:
Regarding the problem of Hong Kong children and youth taking or trafficking drugs in the Mainland, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether it knows the number and age distribution of Hong Kong children and youth under the age of 18 who were convicted in the Mainland in each of the past three years of taking and trafficking drugs, together with a breakdown by gender and the penalties imposed on them;
(b) whether the relevant Mainland departments have notified the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ("HKSAR Government") of information on the above cases involving Hong Kong children and youth being sentenced in the Mainland; if so, whether the Government has followed up such cases; if the HKSAR Government has not been notified, whether the Government will consider requesting the setting up of a notification mechanism with the relevant Mainland government departments to facilitate follow-up actions;
(c) whether it knows the current number of Hong Kong organisations providing counselling services targeted at children and youth taking drugs in places of entertainment in the Mainland, and the types of services provided by such organisations; and
(d) whether exchange activities have been organised with the Mainland enforcement departments or organisations providing counselling services for drug-addicted children and youth, with a view to ameliorating the situation of Hong Kong children and youth taking drugs in the Mainland?
Reply:
Madam President,
The Administration maintains a close watch over the cross-boundary drug abuse problem, and has taken measures in consultation with the Action Committee Against Narcotics. We have produced a series of docu-drama "Anti-Drug Files" featuring real cases, and launched the "Sponsorship Scheme on Anti-Cross-boundary Drug Abuse Projects", which provides funding to 18 projects on anti-drug educational and publicity activities targeting young people. We are producing an education kit for primary and secondary schools to disseminate anti-drug messages and consequences of cross-boundary drug abuse. The Beat Drugs Fund provides funding to organisations to hold anti-drug activities, including those targeting cross boundary drug abuse. We will continue to step up publicity and educational activities, including the broadcast of Announcements in the Public Interest (APIs) at KCR trains and holding anti-drug activities at border control points in collaboration with non-government organisations.
(a) In the past three years, the number of persons arrested for abusing drugs in Guangdong Province and the penalties imposed are set out below:
2004 2005 2006
---- ---- ----
Administrative 179 290 269
detention
Addiction 12 60 64
treatment
Fine 0 0 3
----- --- --- ---
Total 191 350 336
*Figures in relation to drug trafficking cases, and further breakdown figures by age and gender are not available.
(b) We have agreed with the Mainland authorities on a mechanism for handling the return of Hong Kong residents (including youngsters) arrested in the Mainland for abusing drugs. When notified by the Mainland authorities, the Police will liaise with social workers, where necessary and practicable, to offer to provide service to these people. Social workers will follow up cases of those who are willing to receive service.
(c) The Administration has not compiled relevant information or statistics on Hong Kong organisations providing counselling services for children and youth taking drugs in entertainment venues in the Mainland.
(d) The Administration has all along maintained close liaison with our Mainland counterparts on strategies and measures to tackle the cross-boundary drug abuse problem. Hong Kong and Mainland law enforcement agencies exchange information and intelligence on cross-boundary crimes including cross-boundary drug abuse and take joint actions to interdict drug trafficking activities. Law enforcement officers also visit and hold regular meetings with their counterparts to update each other on the latest drug abuse and drug trafficking situation in the region.
In addition, we have developed a tripartite cooperation framework with our Guangdong and Macao counterparts to promote exchanges and cooperation in anti-drug efforts among the three places. Starting from 2001, tripartite conferences or functions to tackle drug abuse and trafficking have been held regularly. Information is exchanged and experience shared on various fronts covering law enforcement, research, treatment and rehabilitation as well as preventive education.
Ends/Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Issued at HKT 15:00
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