HK TO FURTHER APPLY IT IN FIGHTING DRUGS

The government of Hong Kong will make more efforts to crack on drugs with
Internet technology, Hong Kong Commissioner for Narcotics Clarie Lo said
Thursday.

"The application of IT is an integral part of the government's drug
preventive education programs," Lo said at a Rotary Club luncheon meeting.

Hong Kong is setting up a drug information resource center, to be completed
around 2001, to centralize all drug related information in Hong Kong and to
provide more support for professionals and workers in the drug field,
according to Lo.

An exhibition hall in the center will be equipped with state-of-the-art
technology, combining interactive displays, computer games and video
presentation to illustrate the harmful effects of drug abuses and introduce
Hong Kong's anti-drug work.

"It is hoped that these lively and interesting computer-assisted
interactive devices will make a more lasting impact on the minds of
visitors, especially young people who are our primary target," Lo said.

The Narcotics Division has planned to revamp its Homepage by strengthening
the variety of interactive games to disseminate anti- drug messages
targeting at young people.

Plans are also in hand to establish a Homepage on the Internet to
facilitate on-line reports by members of the public on suspicious
transaction relating to money laundering and train relevant personnel
including those in the financial sector to identify and react to suspicious
transactions relating to money laundering, Lo said.

Speaking on the drug dealing through Internet, Lo said a Task Force on
Psychotropic Substance Abuse to be formed will be looking at ways to
establish monitoring systems and the need to negotiate with service
providers and with the telecommunication and software industries to develop
a code of conduct on the treatment of drug-related information on the
Internet.

"The task force, to comprise more than 26 members including medical
practitioners, social workers, academics, and law enforcement agencies,
will hold its first meeting in late April. It will draw up a comprehensive
strategy to tackle the issue," Lo said.