Comparing Outcomes Between Drug Rehabilitation Centre Programmes and Community-based Rehabilitation Pathways

Mr Jackson Lam asked the Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs since 2023, how does the two-year drug-free rate among persons who completed Drug Rehabilitation Centre programmes compare with outcomes from community-based rehabilitation pathways.

Drug abusers who are caught purely for consumption offences are placed on differentiated treatment and rehabilitation pathways based on the number of prior drug consumption offences and assessed risk of re-offending. First-time, lower risk abusers may be placed on community-based rehabilitation pathways, such as the Youth Enhanced Supervision Scheme for youth drug abusers under the age of 21, and the Enhanced Direct Supervision Order for adult drug abusers. Repeat and/or higher risk abusers will be admitted to the Drug Rehabilitation Centre.

Given the differing risk profiles of the drug abusers put through the various pathways, the outcomes for these programmes are therefore not directly comparable.