Dr Xaysomphone Phomvihane, General Vilay Lakhamfong, Prof. Dr Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune and senior officials on Saturday walk through central Vientiane to take a stand against drug abuse.

Govt leaders stride out in support of International Day against Drug Abuse

More than 1,000 officials from ministries and other entities gathered in central Vientiane on Saturday morning for a walk to mark International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26.
The walk began at Patouxay Park, with participants walking along Lane Xang Avenue to the Presidential Palace and back.
Dignitaries taking part in the walk included President of the National Assembly Dr Xaysomphone Phomvihane; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Security, General Vilay Lakhamfong; Deputy Prime Minister Prof. Dr Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune; ministers, ambassadors to Laos, and senior officials from various organisations.
Before the start of the walk, officials viewed an exhibition of drug-related police work at Patouxay Park.
Speaking at the event, General Vilay said “Our country is witnessing the spread of drug abuse in cities and in rural areas. The drug problem has resulted in an escalation of crime. It has harmed the lives and health of many people, and destroyed the future of numerous adolescents, who have been denied the opportunity to share in the nation’s development.”
“There has been a concerted effort to suppress and control the abuse of and trade in drugs and we have succeeded at a basic level. Many of the problems we face involve influences beyond our borders, but there are difficulties in coordinating drug control efforts with external organisations,” he added. 
Plans formulated at the national level for 2021 to 2023 aim to bolster drug suppression and bring the problem under control so that targets are met, General Vilay said.
He called on the Party, all sectors of government, international organisations, and people of all ethnicities to support drug control activities, in order to rid society of the terrible scourge of drugs.
The general public and government sectors concerned should take more responsibility for curbing drug abuse, through education, publicity campaigns, law enforcement, and cooperation with international organisations, as well as providing support for people whose lives had been damaged by drugs, the minister added.
Drug trafficking and abuse is a global problem and a huge threat to humanity. It slows development, ruins young lives and breaks up families, he said.
In 2020, 71 percent of arrests that occurred in countries bordering the Mekong River were drug-related. 

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
(Latest Update June 27, 2022)