The U.S. Embassy today turned over to the Drug Control Department of the Ministry of Public Security of the Lao PDR a year’s worth of essential office supplies that will assist that Department to carry out its law enforcement duties.
Accepting this donation on behalf of the Government of the Lao PDR was Police Colonel Khamphonh Sihapanya, Director of the Lao Drug Police. Also in attendance and representing the Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision (LCDC) was Major Xaimoungkhoun Souliyavong, the LCDC’s Director of Law Enforcement. Col. Khamphonh said he appreciated this assistance as the latest instance of support from the U.S. government in the counter-narcotics area. All such assistance takes place under formal agreements between the Lao PDR and the U.S. government.
Mr. Lacy Wright, Director of the Law Enforcement and Narcotics Section at the U.S. embassy, noted that, since 1989, the U.S. had contributed over $45 million in anti-drug assistance to Laos. “We are pleased to support the Lao PDR in its efforts to fight drugs because our two countries’ objectives are the same – to rid our societies of the harmful effects of drug trafficking and illicit drug use.” Past and current U.S. anti-narcotics assistance includes training and equipment for the drug police, training for drug counselors seeking to treat and prevent drug addiction, support for drug treatment centers, and activities to warn the public against illicit narcotics.
Mr. Wright’s office also has assistance programs that benefit the Ministry of Justice, the Office of the Supreme Public Prosecutor, and the Lao Customs Department.
