On September 10, 2015, the U.S. Embassy and Lao National Commission on Drug Control (LCDC) turned over $18,999 USD (more than 150 Million Lao Kip) worth of office supplies and media equipment to four Northern provinces to assist them in carrying out an Anti-Drug Civic Awareness Campaign in their region.
Director of the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) from U.S. Embassy, Vientiane, Ms. Kimberley Bulkley took part in the ceremony, along with Mr. Kou Chansina, the Chairman of the LCDC, the Head and Deputy Heads of the four Provincial Committee for Drug Control and Supervision (PCDCs).
LCDC Director Kou Chansina said that the LCD equipment and material received will assist the PCDC of the four Northern provinces in making anti-drug educational presentations for school children. The INL Director Kimberley Bulkley remarked that anti-drug campaigns in schools play an important role in warning children about the dangers of illegal drug use. “We are pleased to support the Lao PDR in its efforts to fight drugs,” the INL’s director added. “As the Lao PDR takes steps to integrate into the ASEAN Economic Community in December this year, increased cross-border trade will pose new challenges for the prevention of illicit drug trade and consumption. The U.S. government is committed to assisting Laos to prepare for those challenges.”
The United States Government has provided over $47 million in counter-narcotics assistance to the Lao PDR since 1989. Past and current U.S. anti-narcotics assistance includes training and equipment for law enforcement, treatment of drug users, activities to warn the public against illicit narcotics, and alternative development programs, which assist poor opium farmers to increase their income by growing legitimate crops.
