External Cooperation

In 2003, the outbreak of SARS affected Macao's anti-drug external cooperation, this hindrance the participation in certain international drug control conferences and the cancellation of several trans-regional exchanges activities. However, the overall exchange cooperation remained successful, especially the enthusiastic collaborations with China and Hong Kong. Several major drug control seminars and activities could be held as planned and had substantial results.

The 2nd Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Conference

on Policy to Tackle Drug Abuse and Trafficking

"The 2nd Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Conference on Policy to Tackle Drug Abuse and Trafficking" was organized by the Guangdong Drug Control Committee and held from 20-21 February 2003 in Zhong Shan. The conference summarized the results and the future directions in fighting drugs cooperation among the three regions.

A 26 person delegation from several related departments from Macao participated the conference, and including major officials: Ho Chio Meng, Public Prosecutor-General of the Public Prosecutions Office; Ip Peng Kin, President of Social Welfare Institute; Mário António Lameiras, Assistant Commissioner-General of Unitary Police Service; Chao Chak Sam, Chief of Checkpoint Enforcement Department of the Customs Services; Kong Weng Fai, Supervisor of Forensic Laboratory of Judicial Police, as well as Macao Prison And Health Bureau representatives.

Guests from Mainland China including: Li Ronggen, Deputy Prefect of Guangdong and Guangdong Narcotics Control Commission Officer; Zhang Shengqin, Deputy Officer of Guangdong Narcotics Control Commission; Chen Xingyou, Director of National Narcotics Control Commission; Wang Shuan, Secretary of ZhongShan Law Commission and Wo Zhanghe, Deputy Mayor of ZhongShan. Guests from Hong Kong are: Yau Tsang Ka Lai, Chief Secretary of Health, Welfare and Food Bureau; Lo Ku Ka Lee, ommissioner for Narcotics, etc. A total participant of officials and experts from three regions was 120 persons.

Representatives attend "The 2nd Guangdong , Hong Kong and Macao Conference
on Policy to Tackle Drug Abuse and Trafficking"

The delegation on this occasion exchanged notes on the progress on drug control strategies, law making and execution, as well as drug treatment prevention of which four direction topic discussions included: 1. Actual situation and tendency of trafficking and the fabrication of psychotropic substance crimes. 2. Targeting psychotropic consumers and the illicit selling network, anti-drug suppression and relevant management measures. 3. Effects on human cause by psychotropic substances abuse, related healing and recovering methods and development direction. 4. Corresponding strategies on drug prevention education, anti-drug publicity and trans-regional drug abuse prevention for Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, also exchanging opinions and suggestions for future cooperation.

The 3rd Hong Kong, Macao and Mainland China Conference

on Substance Abuse, Prevention and Treatment

From 14-16 March 2003, the National Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Association, together with Social Welfare Institute of Macao SAR and Hong Kong Council of Social Service co-organized "The 3rd Hong Kong, Macao and Mainland China Conference on Substance Abuse, Prevention and Treatment" in Kunming, Yunnan province. Topic of the conference was "New Trends in Substance Abuse --- Concern and Strengthening". Around 200 officials and experts from the three regions attended the conference.

Row of Chairman of "The 3rd Hong Kong, Macao and Mainland China Conference
on Substance Abuse, Prevention and Treatment"

Guests for Opening Ceremony included: Wang Yu, Deputy Director of National Health Bureau; Ling Qing, President of Lin Zexu Fund and descendant of the 5th generation of Lin Zexu; Liu Zhimin, Deputy Secretary of National Narcotics Control Commission; Ip Peng Kin, President of Social Welfare Institute of Macao SAR; Wong Sze Ping, Chief Assistant Secretary of Security Bureau of Hong Kong SAR; Cheang Seng- chio, Assistant Commissioner-General of Unitary Police Service of Macao SAR, Wang Chengde, Deputy Secretary of National Substance Abuse of Prevention and Treatment Association; Dr. James M.N Ch'ien, Vice-President of Hong Kong Council of Social Service Substance Abuse Work Team; Cai Zhiji, Honorable President of China Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Research Institute; Chen Hung, Deputy Director of Yun Nan Health Bureau; Nian Emei, Vice-President of Yun Nan Substance Monitor Bureau; Wang Qihua, Director of Yun nan Narcotic Control Bureau International Cooperation Office, and other major officials and professionals.

The Conference focused on actual drug abuse tendency, measures and experiences on prevention and treatment in different regions, the results of tackling trans-regional trafficking, new findings on trail researches, etc. Journalists at this occasion were also invited to visit the Kunming Compulsory Drug Treatment Center, DAYTOP Substances Abuse Treatment and Recovery Center, as well as a compulsory treatment center in Da Li and Li Jiang.

As part of the organizer, 41 delegates of the Social Welfare Institute and several official and non-governmental institutes participated in the Conference. These included the Public Prosecutions Office, The Unitary Police Service, The Judicial Police, Macao Prison, Health Bureau and six non-governmental representatives. Ten representatives from Macao were guest hosts of the Conference and relevant workshops, reporting Macao's drug control strategy, prevention and treatment measures, tackling trafficking, law, hospitalization, drug abuse evolution and drug treatment service. Twelve theses were presented. Besides, the official delegates of Macao visited the Narcotics Control Bureau of Yunnan Public Security Department, introducing each other's work and exchanging experiences, and this enlarged the mutual understanding and co-operation relationship between the drug control departments of Macao and Yunnan.

The 7th National Meeting on Substance Dependence

From 8-12 September 2003, at Urumqi, Xin jiang, Beijing University China Substance Dependence Research Institute, The Medical Prevention Association of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and The Editor of China Substance Dependence Magazine hosted "The 7th National Meeting on Substance Dependence" The Meeting was organized by The China Drug Association of Substance Dependence Professional Committee and The Sino-English Sexual Disease/AIDS Prevention and Treatment Cooperation Office. The theme of the Meeting was "Drug Taking and AIDS" there were about 170 participants from different regions, provinces and cities, and two representatives from the Division for Treatment and Social Rehabilitation of Social Welfare Institute of Macao.

"The 7th National Meeting on Substance Dependence" group picture

The Meeting concentrated on reports of the actual global drug situation, drug abuse within different regions of China, AIDS infection and prevention and treatment, measures on drug treatment and relapse precautions, drug treatment medication applications, harm reduction measures, drug treatment trail research. 150 theses were received, 50 of which were presented during the Meeting. The delegation from Macao reported the situation on infectious diseases among addicts, and also acted as hosts for the Meeting. The content of the seminar was relatively rich and had substantial value. Simultaneously through sharing and new discoveries on trail experiment of different cities that enriched the exchanged experience of each participant, also enlarged communication and friendship for everyone, so as to establish the cooperation foundation of relevant exchanges in the future.

The prevention of infectious diseases is a very important task for community health, therefore, through experience exchange and knowledge sharing at the above meeting, to which can refer and study the prevention and treatment of related diseases in the future (especially related to drugs talking). Regarding the trail research on drug treatment medication, they are mainly on observation of different detoxification substances in the curing effect of opium dependence, trail study of new detoxification substance and comparative studies on detoxification curing substance.

Therefore, by obtaining relevant studies and knowledge of trail experience, exchanging and sharing with other professional that enable the enlargement of the effectiveness of related development in Macao.

Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Anti-Drug Rally

The Guangdong Narcotics control Commission, Hong Kong Narcotics Division of Security Bureau and Social Welfare Institute of Macao, as usual, in 2003, again took part in responding to the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Officials from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao attend a Drug Rally.

On 26th June 2003, several Macao drug control related officials including: Ip Peng Kin, President of the Social Welfare Institute; Inspector Mário António Lameiras, Assistant Commissioner-General of the Unitary Police Service; Kong Weng Fai, Supervisor of the Forensic Laboratory of Judicial Police; Inspector Antonio F.A Petrovich da Silva and Assistant-Inspector Suen Kan Fai of Drug Criminal Cases Investigation Division; Vong Yim Mui, Chief of the Department for Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependence and Hon Wai, Chief of the Division for Treatment and Social Rehabilitation attended the Rally held by Guangdong Narcotics Control Commission Office. The venue of the Rally was held in Galaxy Stadium Square. Participants from Mainland China included: Liu De, Assistant Minister of Public Security, Wang Huayuan, Deputy Secretary of Guangdong; Liang Guoju, Chief of Division of Public Security; Li Ronggen, Deputy Prefect; Zhang Guangning, Mayor of Guangdong. Guests from Hong Kong were: Ip Lau Suk-yee, Director of Security of the Hong Kong SAR; Tsang Yam-pui, Chief of Hong Kong Police Force and Narcotics commissioner Lo Ku Ka Lee. On 5th July, Chen Shaobo, Director of Guangdong Narcotics Control Office and Chui Hiu Lo, Assistant Secretary of Hong Kong Narcotics Division and relevant officials attended "Anti-Drug Variety Carnival" organized by the Social Welfare Institute of Macao, while on 6th November, Narcotics Control commissioners from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao participated in the "Shenzhen Anti-Drug Exhibition Campaign" held by the Shenzhen Narcotics Control Office. By mutual support with anti-drug activities, this will demonstrate the determination of combat against drugs in three regions, as well as to consolidate and motivate the relationship and achievement of drug control cooperation.

Other Anti-Drug Conferences and Inspections

In December 2003, representatives on behalf of "China Macao" from Judicial Police attended "The 27th Meeting of the Heads National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Asia and Pacific" in Bangkok of Thailand.

In September 2003, delegates of Social Welfare Institute together with representatives of Macao Renovation and Mutual Assistance Association participated the "The 36th Anniversary Dinner and the 9th Central Commission Enthronement Ceremony and Member Integrity Award Distribution" the concerning activities enabled to mobilize the experience exchange and development co-operation between relevant personnel from both regions.