Program and Event

U.S. Co-sponsors “Workshop Regarding International Drug Trafficking and West African Drug Gangs Operating In the Region”

From left: Ambassador Ravic Huso and H.E. Soubanh Srithirath, Minister to the President’s Office and Chairman of the Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision

On June 5^th the United States Embassy was pleased to co-sponsor with the Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision (LCDC) a “Workshop Regarding International Drug Trafficking and West African Drug Gangs Operating in the Region” held at the Lao Plaza Hotel in Vientiane. U.S. Ambassador Ravic Huso gave opening remarks to the workshop, along with H.E. Soubanh Srithirath, Minister to the President’s Office and Chairman of the Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision, who hosted the workshop. Some 60 senior Lao government officials, representing a number of concerned ministries and agencies participated in the workshop. The country representative of the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as well as the representatives of several foreign embassies also attended the opening session.

In his remarks, Ambassador Huso noted that U.S. and Lao bilateral cooperation programs to combat trafficking and abuse of illegal drugs have continued for over 20 years. Ambassador Huso stated that the United States is pleased with the Lao Government’s initiative to take new measures in addressing the growing problems of international drug trafficking in the region that affect Laos, and stands ready to continue its cooperation with the Lao Government in these efforts.