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Laos serious about drug control

A Lao anti-drug leader has called on the international community to back the nation’s 2009-13 programme on drug control in an effort to turn the vision of a drug-free ASEAN into reality by 2015.
A Lao anti-drug leader has called onthe international community to back the nation’s 2009-13 programme ondrug control in an effort to turn the vision of a drug-free ASEAN intoreality by 2015.

Kou Chansima, Vice Chairman ofthe Lao National Committee for Drug Control, made the call on Feb. 21at a reception for international delegates attending a meeting beingheld by the Working Group on Illicit Drug Control in Savannakhet, Laos, from February 15-18.

He also sought stronger support from the entire nation in the fightagainst drugs and related crimes, which, he said, are a threat tosocio-economic development not only in Laos but also in the world as awhole.

In an effort to step up the fight, the Lao Sub-working Group on Crimeheld a meeting on February 19 with the participation of representativesfrom the Ministry of Public Security, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime(UNODC), and relevant agencies.

The meeting focused on joint measures against illicit drug traffickingand other serious crimes, including a draft action plan and necessarysteps to enact the national law on drug control./.
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