Ordinance and Code of Practice

The Drug Dependent Persons Treatment and Rehabilitation Centres (Licensing) Ordinance (Chapter 566, Laws of Hong Kong)

The Drug Dependent Persons Treatment and Rehabilitation Centres (Licensing) Ordinance (Chapter 566, Laws of Hong Kong) (the Ordinance) provides for the control of drug dependent persons treatment and rehabilitation centres (DTRCs) through a licensing system administered by the Director of Social Welfare, to ensure that drug dependent persons can receive services in a properly managed and physically secure environment, thereby protecting their well-being.

Any person who operates or exercises control over the management of a DTRC without a valid licence/certificate of exemption commits an offence. The maximum penalty on the first conviction is a fine at level 6 ($100,000 at present) and imprisonment for 6 months, and in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine of $5,000 for each day can be imposed. On subsequent conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine at level 6 and imprisonment for one year, and in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine of $10,000 for each day can be imposed.

The Code of Practice for Drug Dependent Persons Treatment and Rehabilitation Centres of SWD sets out principles, procedures or guidelines for the operation, management or other control of DTRCs.