Half of former poppy cultivating villages need urgent alternative development assistance

KLP, 26.10.2006

(KPL) The opium survey of 2005 indicates that about 50 percent of the former opium poppy cultivating villages still need urgent alternative development assistance.

Information released in the round table meeting on harmonisation of drug control assistance in Laos showed that the country is close to reach eliminating opium with opium poppy areas reduced by 93 percent and opium addiction by 84 percent.

The meeting chaired by Mr Soubanh Srithirath, Chairman of the Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision, concentrated on current drug situation in the country and the Prime Minister's ten recommended measures to address drug related issues. The meeting also discussed gaining support for harmonisation of drug control efforts to national drug control priorities in the most efficient and effective manner.

UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes) studies indicate that Phongsaly, Huaphan, Oudomxay and Luang Namtha are the most vulnerable provinces. Thanks to the network of new roads many villages now having access to markets. A real improvement compared to the previous situation, two years ago.

"There is an urgent need to support the action plan targeting 1,000 former opium villages that was presented on the 25 August. Just after opium has been eliminated, the 3-4 year transitional period is now the most crucial," declares Mr Leik Boonwaat, United Nations Office on Drug and Crime's representative. "It is important to allow time for farmers to adjust and find other alternative." He added.

"The government of Laos understands that illicit drug trafficking and abuse endangers our society and traditional way of life. It increases poverty and suffering and threatens the social and economic development of our country," Mr Soubanh also said in his speech. "It is a source of crime and violence that threatens security and stability. We also know that the communities that produce opium never benefited from the profits made. In fact these communities are among the poorest of the poor."

The meeting drew around 60 participants from Government ministries, Mini Group, major donors in the field of drug control in Laos, representatives of the countries of ASEAN more four countries (China, Russia, R. Korea and India). Representatives of international organisations, bilateral development organisations and non-governmental organisations also attended to this meeting.