The Government has recorded a three-year high in the successful "detoxification" of drug addicts.

Responding to a question from Chan Kwok-keung in the Legislative Council today, Secretary for Security Regina Ip said 97 drug addicts were successfully rehabilitated under the Government's drug detoxification scheme last year, compared to 53 last year and 75 the year before.

Detoxification is one of the two treatments used under the Government's Methadone Treatment Programme. Under the detox scheme, addicts get drug-free by taking reduced dosages of methadone over a period of time.

The other treatment is known as the "maintenance" programme, whereby addicts kick the habit through methadone dosages prescribed by doctors. It has so far been the more popular of the two programmes.

A Working Group is reviewing the Programme and studying whether other drugs may be more effective. Research is expected to be completed by 2005.