The drug problem knows no boundary. Its transnational nature calls for close co-operation and co-ordination among jurisdictions in order to tackle the problem.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has all along been a committed partner in international and regional efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse, and it has established extensive networks with its external counterparts in dealing with the drug problem as a world problem.

International Conventions

Hong Kong strictly complies with the three international anti-drug conventions, namely, the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs as amended by the Protocol of 1972, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances and the 1988 United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

These three international conventions provide a treaty-based framework for international co-operation to address drug problem. Hong Kong reviews its control regime on narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances constantly to ensure compliance with the provisions of the conventions.

International Co-operation

Hong Kong is a staunch supporter of international actions against drugs. It participates actively in regional and international drug fora to keep Hong Kong's anti-drug work in step with current international standards. The Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance, the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and the Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds) Ordinance, together with related agreements that HKSAR has signed with overseas countries, provide a sound legal basis for joint international efforts in pursuit of drug offenders and confiscating their proceeds. Every year, HKSAR takes part in the annual session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) - UN's central policy making body on drug-related matters - as part of the China delegation. The Administration introduces legislative measures to implement decisions of the CND from time to time, and compiles drug-related returns and statistical reports to the International Narcotics Control Board in support of the global drug programmes. Under an arrangement of reciprocal appointments to advisory committees between Hong Kong and Singapore, the Commissioner for Narcotics is a member of the National Council Against Drug Abuse in Singapore which advises the Singaporean Government on anti-drug work and policy, whereas the Director of Singapore's Central Narcotics Bureau is a member of the Action Committee Against Narcotics. The Hong Kong Police and Customs & Excise Department maintain close co-operation with their Mainland and overseas counterparts, as well as with regional and international organisations in their anti-drug efforts, through intelligence sharing, co-ordinated actions and regular exchange of latest drug abuse and drug trafficking situation. Annually, the two departments represent the HKSAR in the International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC), as well as to participate as associate members in the Meeting of the Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Asia and the Pacific (HONLEA, Asia and the Pacific), to share drug-related information and to develop a co-ordinated approach to law enforcement efforts against international drug traffickers with upper-level drug law enforcement officials.

The Commissioner for Narcotics, Ms Sally Wong (first from left, front row), attends the annual session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs held in Vienna in March 2011 as a member of the China delegation. Representatives from Hong Kong Police and Customs participate in the International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC) held in Bangkok in March 2011 Hong Kong Police participates in the Sixteenth Asia-Pacific Operational Drug Enforcement Conference held in Tokyo in February 2011.

Co-operation with Guangdong, Shenzhen and Macao

Situated at one of the regions in China with the busiest flow of people and cargo, Hong Kong has been working closely with Guangdong, Shenzhen and Macao SAR to deal with the drug problem on a regional level. On combating cross-boundary drug activities, the Police and Customs work closely together, and maintain effective liaison with their counterparts in Guangdong, Shenzhen and Macao through effective mechanism. Regular meetings are held to formulate strategies and review cross-boundary drug trafficking and abuse situation; designated officers are assigned to maintain timely intelligence exchange; and co-ordinated actions and operations are conducted from time to time. To curb young people from Hong Kong abusing drugs in the Mainland, co-operation with Shenzhen has been stepped up. In this regard, stringent law enforcement action against entertainment venues by the Shenzhen authorities in tandem with heightened efforts in Hong Kong have proved to be effective in mitigating the problem.