NAS Programs and Events 2005

GOL Declares Houaphan Province Opium Free
April 29, 2005

On April 29, NAS director attended an “opium free” ceremony in Xam Neua, the capital of Houaphan Province. At the ceremony, Soubanh Srithirath, Minister to the President and Chairman of the Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision, told an audience of officials and school children that, while they should be complimented on their hard work, “much remains to be done.” He said that there are still many opium addicts who need treatment. He urged provincial and district officials to remain vigilant to any recidivism in opium cultivation, warning that, if officials discover any poppy in the province between now and the end of the year, “we will not be able to declare the country poppy free.” 

The Minister said that amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) are a “major problem” in Houaphan. He also referred to a series of urinalysis tests in several Xam Neua secondary schools conducted this past March, where about 25 percent of the students selected tested positive. United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime Laos Country Representative Klaus Nyholm sounded a similar theme. He said that everyone in Houaphan deserved congratulations for their efforts in opium eradication. However, the dangers of ATS are real and increasing rapidly, he added.

Opium free ceremonies are planned for Luang Prabang, Xaiyabouri, Phongsali, and Xaysoumboun Special Zone over the next six weeks.