On the thirty seventh anniversary of Worldwide Anti-Drug Day, 26 June, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone addressed the nation, reflecting on the nation’s efforts and progress in combating drug-related points.
In his message, Sonexay highlighted the widespread and chronic risk of medication in Laos, which proceed to influence city and rural areas. He emphasised that drug-related points contribute considerably to violence, crime, and social instability. He emphasised the extreme results on the youth, who’re important to the nation’s future.
The Prime Minister famous that regardless of efforts to curb drug manufacturing, commerce, and utilization, these points stay prevalent and are even growing worldwide. He additional confused the essential want for continued and intensified motion to handle the drug disaster globally and inside Laos.
Sonexay outlined the achievements and ongoing efforts of the Lao authorities, highlighting achievements from 2021-2023, and detailed the priorities for 2024-2025. These priorities embody elevating consciousness, involving communities, supporting households in mountainous areas to pursue employment by means of official means, and aiding drug dependancy restoration.
Lastly, the prime minister talked about that Lao authorities have seized medication and made quite a few arrests, displaying their dedication to tackling the problem.
Notably, on 21 June, Bokeo police confiscated 5.8 million amphetamine drugs and 225 kilograms of heroin after stopping two autos touring from Meung to Houayxay district. Nonetheless, the suspects managed to flee after brandishing weapons. In a separate incident on 11 June, Oudomxay police arrested 5 suspects and seized Chinese language Yuan, Thai baht, and Kip currencies price over LAK 10 billion (USD 453,811). Each instances are beneath investigation to hint the drug sources and locations.
Moreover, over the previous 5 months, Lao police have dealt with greater than 10,000 drug-related instancesleading to 1,680 resolved instances and a couple of,616 arrests, together with 96 foreigners.
