Murray-Aynsley:

This was the case of a chandu smoker. I consider that, generally speaking, severe punishment should be reserved for traffickers and others who make a living rather than for the actual smoker, who probably contracted the habit when it was quite legal.If it is possible prison sentences should be avoided, and, if resorted to, it should be with view to a possible cure.In the present case the appellant was sentenced to nine months on one charge and to a fine of $100 or a further month on an additional charge relating to the possession of certain utensils.

I considered that the sentence was in the circumstances excessive and I reduced it. It should be noted that these offences are still dealt with under the Opium and Chandu Proclamation in which penalties authorised are grossly excessive, much more severe than those authorised under the Deleterious Drugs Ordinance which was intended to deal with the use of drugs much more obnoxious than chandu.

Sentence Reduced.