Led by the new Chairman Choi Yuen-wan, the ACAN talked about a comprehensive review of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance to determine whether there is a need to further improve provisions to help combat psychotropic substance abuse and trafficking.

Moreover, they pondered over the preparation of the next three-year plan on drug treatment and rehabilitation services in Hong Kong.

Targeted for release at end 2003, the plan will review the exiting provision of treatment and rehabilitation services provided to drug dependent people and set the direction for such services in the years to come.

The committee was also briefed on the latest situation regarding psychotropic substance abuse and the comprehensive measures that the government has been adopting to combat the problem, including strengthening the various service provisions to address the increased demand for assistance by psychotropic substance abusers.

The Commissioner for Narcotics Clarie Lo said after the meeting that the police started researching drug-related deaths in mid-2001, and found nine cases of drug-related deaths involving seven men and two women aged between 22 and 36.

Lo said she hoped these cases would serve to remind the public of the dire consequences of drug abuse.

(Xinhua News Agency March 22, 2003)