Lao PM: Asia can be drug free by 2015

HANOI, Nov. 26 (Chinese media) -- Lao Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh has asked

drug officials from Laos, two neighboring countries, Cambodia and Vietnam, to

identify the most effective solutions to drug problems to achieve the goal of a

drug-free Asian region by 2015, the Lao newspaper Vientiane Times reported on

Wednesday.

The statement was made in Vientiane, capital city of Laos, at the opening

ceremony of the eighth ministerial meeting on drug control cooperation between

Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam from Tuesday to Wednesday.

All three countries, together with other Asian countries, should increase

cooperation, regularly provide information and monitor drug smuggling and

trafficking along their borders as drug problems are a global issue and there

are many challenges at present, said Bouasone.

"Drug abuse creates problems within society and hinders socio-economic

development. It also threatens to destroy security and safety," said Bouasone.

In Laos, efforts of addressing this issue is demonstrated by the

government's approval of a draft drug control master plan from 2009 to 2013 with

a nine-point implementation strategy, to achieve the target of Asian and China

becoming drug free by 2015, said Bouasone.

Laos also eliminated opium poppy cultivation two years ago ahead of the

planned target and remains focused on solving the negative impacts of drugs on

society.

Laos has set up 11 border liaison offices with neighboring countries and

will open more offices in the future, said Lao National Commission on Drug

Control and Supervision (LCDC) Acting Vice Chairman Kou Chansyna.