Laos Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Security, General Vilay Lakhamfong. - Vientiane Times/ANN
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN): The government is preparing to fulfil the mandate of the National Agenda on resolving the country’s burgeoning drug problem, and will continue its campaign to rein in the drug trade this year and next.
The issue was tabled for discussion at the Ministry of Public Security this week, with the meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Security, General Vilay Lakhamfong.
General Vilay said the drug problem had spread from urban to rural areas and was the cause of numerous social problems and crimes.
The number of drug-related cases, people arrested, prison sentences handed down, and drug addicts, as well as the amount of drugs seized in raids and intercepted at roadside checkpoints was increasing at a worrying rate, he added.
In addition, the movement, trade in and production of drugs has become a lot more complex, with drug rings run by sophisticated gangs with international links, modern vehicles, equipment and weapons.
Another problem in stemming drug trafficking is Laos’ geographical nature, which makes access by authorities difficult and enables people to move, conceal and produce drugs without easy detection.
In remote areas, people’s level of education is low, development is lagging behind, and people continue to live a traditional lifestyle and do not understand or comply with the law when it comes to the drug trade.
In some places, villagers do not have regular jobs or access to markets for their products. One of the easy ways to make a living, especially in the northern and central provinces, is to grow opium poppies and cannabis, for which there is a ready market.
The government’s National Agenda on drug control, which was devised in response to the growing drug trade, is poorly understood in many remote areas and public security officials have been unable to run an effective anti-drug campaign in large parts of the country.
The amended Law on Narcotic Drugs has also not yet been widely disseminated or enforced, meaning that legal measures against offenders are often not pursued.
The government’s crackdown on drugs is further hindered by the limited knowledge and ability of the officials involved. Many have not followed the set goals, others have abused their position for personal gain, and some have flagrantly broken the law with regard to prosecution.
Lack of coordination between ministries and between ministries and related bodies at both the central and local levels has also posed hurdles due to poor communication, lack of flexibility, and a reluctance to be proactive.
Furthermore, the response in terms of personnel, budget, specialised technical equipment and vehicles needed to meet the goals of the National Agenda has not been forthcoming.
However, despite these challenges the police have made numerous arrests in connection with drug trafficking.
During the first phase of the National Agenda from July 2021 to May 2022, a total of 4,094 drug-related cases were processed and 5,818 people were arrested.
The Ministry of Public Security teamed up with other government agencies to locate and clear 569 hectares of opium poppies and 4.2 hectares of cannabis plants, and instructed 12,859 families to end the cultivation of these crops.
Security forces also teamed up with other government sectors to seize 169 tons of chemicals used in the production of drugs in Bokeo, Luang Namtha and Luang Prabang provinces. - Vientiane Times/ANN
