Co-organized by Hong Kong's Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau and the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN), the conference will begin on November 8 with two days of plenary meetings and workshops and culminate in a youth anti-drug forum on November 10.

Speaking after a quarterly ACAN meeting, Commissioner for Narcotics Clarie Lo said that the rapid increase in human and cargo traffic between the three places in recent years has brought about the problem of cross-boundary drug abuse and trafficking, making trilateral cooperation increasingly important in the fight against drugs.

To this end, the HKSAR government has formed close partnership relationships with its mainland and Macao counterparts in coordinating anti-drug policies, sharing information and intelligence, and strengthening cooperation in the areas of law enforcement, treatment and rehabilitation, and preventive education and publicity to counter cross boundary drug abuse and trafficking, she said.

The upcoming conference will provide an invaluable opportunity for exchange of views and sharing of information and experience among officials and professionals from the three places on a number of anti-drug issues, covering legislation and law enforcement, preventive education and publicity, treatment and rehabilitation, research and external cooperation, she said.

Hong Kong's Secretary for Security Regina Ip and officials from the mainland and Macao anti-drug authorities, will kick off the event by officiating at an opening ceremony on November 8.

The Youth Anti-drug Forum, to be opened by Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa on November 10, will provide a forum for young people to express their opinions and make suggestions on drug preventive education policies and ways in which young people can participate in the anti-drug cause.

( October 25, 2001)