Ambassador Patricia M. Haslach Remarks (not delivered) at the Signing Ceremony for the Letters of Agreement on Crop Control, Demand Reduction, and Law Enforcement

September 20, 2006
1400 Hours

Today, the United States and the Government of the Lao PDR are renewing our commitment to jointly battle against the scourge of illicit narcotics that has troubled this nation for too many years. The three agreements today support programs in crop control, drug demand reduction, and law enforcement.

Regarding crop control, through our combined efforts since 1998, we have achieved a great success in reducing the cultivation from a high of some 26,000 ha to about 2,000 ha at this time. The number of opium addicts has also declined from over 40,000 persons to only about 12,000 at present. The funds provided in Crop Control funds this year will support the Lao Government’s efforts in further reducing opium cultivation through crop alternatives, the medical treatment and rehabilitation of opium addicts, and broader support for the Lao Government’s “Strategy for the Post Opium Scenario”.

          Secondly, we are supporting drug demand programs this year, which are becoming more troublesome and complicated. Laos is now facing a serious and growing problem of ATS/amphethamine addiction and associated chemical precursors. The social effects on Lao society are very serious, leading to an increase in organized crime and vandalism and the random robbery of innocent victims by ATS addicts or other drugs. The crime associated with the ATS problem no doubt has regional and international implications. We are therefore providing funds to reduce the demand for ATS type drugs and chemical precursors. We are also providing funds for the treatment and rehabilitation of some of the estimated 40,000 ATS addicts in the country, in cooperation with other donors such as UNODC. We consider the construction of ATS addict treatment facilities to be very important in reducing demand for these illicit drugs but building construction alone is insufficient without effective treatment and rehabilitation.

          For example, last year the US program provided funds for the construction and outfitting of an ATS Detoxification and Rehabilitation Center at Savannakhet Province, which I helped open last month in that southern province. This year we will assist with the renovation of a Rehabilitation Facility for women at the Somsanga ATS Treatment Center near Vientiane and the construction of a new Center at Vientiane Province.

          However detoxification without effective rehabilitation and counseling, including skills training resulting in jobs for the former addicts, will have little meaning and may lead to greater social and criminal problems. We consider ATS addict treatment and effective rehabilitation to be a priority part of our joint efforts this year.

Thirdly, we are providing funds this year to support the Government’s efforts at improved law enforcement, legal systems, and combating drug trafficking.

We look forward to a successful coming year of continued bilateral cooperation between our two governments. I am sure through our combined efforts, and cooperation with the international community, we will achieve much success in 2007.