NCJ Number
60052
Date Published
1978
Length
12 pages
Annotation
THE HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON NARCOTICS AND CONTROL OF THE 95TH CONGRESS VISITED THAILAND, HONG KONG, AND MACAU IN JULY 1978 TO INVESTIGATE HEROIN SMUGGLING.
Abstract
IN THAILAND, THE POLICE NARCOTICS SUPPRESSION CENTER IN CHARGED WITH COORDINATING ALL NARCOTICS ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED BY THE GOVERNMENT. THE NARCOTIC CONTROL BOARD HAS ORGANIZED FOUR SUBCOMMITTEES TO COVER THE SPECTRUM OF NARCOTICS-RELATED ACTIVITIES AND DEAL WITH CROP REPLACEMENT, ENFORCEMENT, PREVENTION AND EDUCATION, AND TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION. U.S.-DONATED WATERCRAFT AND HELICOPTERS HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE IN ANTISMUGGLING EFFORTS. MAINTENANCE IS A PROBLEM, HOWEVER, WITH THE BOATS AND AIRCRAFT. A CROP SUBSTITUTION PROGRAM HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO SUBSTITUTE OPIUM WITH CROPS LIKE COFFEE, RICE, KIDNEY BEANS, AND OTHER VEGETABLES; SOME SUCCESS IS APPARENT AND FURTHERMORE, MODERN FARMING METHODS HAVE BEEN TAUGHT TO VILLAGERS. IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNMENT HAS INITIATED AN INTENSIVE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE METHADONE TREATMENT FOR 30,000 HEROIN ADDICTS, OUT OF AN ESTIMATED 100,000 ADDICTS IN THE POPULATION. AN EXTENSIVE AIRPORT CONTROL PROGRAM HAS HELPED TO REDUCE SMUGGLING. SECURITY POLICE IN MACAU ESTIMATE THAT THERE ARE 1,800 HEROIN ADDICTS IN THIS TERRITORY. THE SOCIAL REHABILITATION CENTER HAS BEEN CREATED TO TREAT DRUG ADDICTS. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT HEROIN, MORPHINE, AND OPIUM ORIGINATE IN MACAU, BUT IS PARTLY IMPORTED FROM HONG KONG WHERE THERE IS NO CUSTOMS EXAMINATION OF PASSENGERS OR BAGGAGE. IT IS CLEAR THAT MACAU POLICE WOULD BENEFIT FROM TRAINING ASSISTANCE IN ALL ASPECTS OF NARCOTICS CONTROL. THEY HAVE ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE FOR THEIR CUSTOMS BUREAU AND THE ANTINARCOTICS BOARD WHICH DEALS WITH APPLY SUPPRESSION AND TREATMENT. THE DEMAND FOR HARD DRUGS IN THE UNITED STATES PROVIDES ENONMOUS PROFIT OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRAFFICKERS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST, AND EFFORTS MUST CONTINUE IN IDENTIFYING NEW ROUTES AND NEW SOURCES. (DEP)