LITHUANIA'S DRUG CONTROL STRATEGY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 VILNIUS 001022

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NB, INL AND OES/IHA
WHITE HOUSE FOR ONDCP (DMURRAY)
COPENHAGEN FOR LDANDO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV SNAR LH
SUBJECT: LITHUANIA'S DRUG CONTROL STRATEGY


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SUMMARY
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1. (SBU) Overall drug use and addiction rates in Lithuania
are low, and policymakers are debating how to keep them that
way. To encourage that discussion, Embassy Vilnius hosted a
half-day conference on USG policy regarding drug prevention
and treatment for over 60 influential decision-makers from
Parliament, the GOL, and the public health sector. The
conference, with high-level speakers from Health and Human
Services and, via DVC, from the White House Office of
National Drug Control Policy focused on USG policy and on
successful prevention and treatment strategies. HHS
representatives also participated in private meetings with
the Health Minister, members of Parliament, and NGOs to
elaborate on our policies and to consult with the GOL on the
development of its new national drug control strategy. End
Summary.

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NARCOTIC USE LOW
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2. (SBU) Drug use in the general population is relatively low
in Lithuania. According to data from the Lithuanian
Narcotics Control Department, about eight percent of the
overall population and 17 percent of Lithuanians 15-24 have
tried illegal drugs, compared to 42 percent and 49 percent in
the United States. The most commonly used illegal drug among
this demographic segment is marijuana, with 16 percent of
youth having tried it, followed by about three percent
consuming MDMA (ecstasy) and amphetamines. Drug use is
substantially higher in certain at-risk subgroups. Over 50
percent of club-goers and 80 percent of homeless children
reported previous narcotics use. GOL data shows that opiate
addiction is not common in young people. Only 0.5 percent
admitted opiate use. Opiate addicts are the greatest
consumers of public health system services for addiction.
More than 80 percent of the 5,000 patients who received such
services in 2004 were opiate (primarily heroin) addicts.
Opiate addicts also account for over 75 percent of new HIV
cases.

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KEEPING IT THAT WAY:
Reforming Drug Prevention and Treatment
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3. (SBU) The GOL is taking steps to modernize and centralize
its narcotics control programs. In 2004, the Government
adopted a "National Drug Addiction Prevention and Drug
Control Strategy for 2004-2008," based on the anti-drug
strategy the European Union adopted in 1999. The GOL plan
established a cabinet-level Narcotics Control Department,
similar to the White House Office of National Drug Control
Policy (ONDCP),and allocated LTL 1.2 million (USD 450,000)
in initial funding. The new authority will assume budgetary
and planning responsibility for the implementation of
narcotics prevention and control policy, and will coordinate
central and local government activities.


4. (SBU) The Parliament, in early 2005, began debate on a
draft EU action plan for drug prevention. According to media
reports, Lithuania was the only EU country where there was
significant opposition to the plan. Several Lithuanian MPs
opposed provisions in the action plan, including treatment
programs using methadone replacement therapy and needle
exchange. Despite the opposition, the GOL officially
approved the plan this summer. In response, first-term MP
and former journalist Ramune Visockyte, in cooperation with
the local NGO "Parents Against Drugs," organized a conference
and press event on drug treatment in Lithuania, campaigning
against drug control policies that, in their view, are too
permissive. In her remarks, which local media featured in
their reports of the events, MP Visockyte inaccurately
characterized U.S. drug treatment policy, stating that the
USG opposed methadone treatment and considered its use
ineffective. We met with Visockyte on two occasions to
clarify USG policy. She subsequently toned down her public
comments somewhat, but continues to mischaracterize USG
policies to support allegations of inadequacies in the
Lithuanian treatment system.

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A CONFERENCE TO CLEAR THE AIR
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5. (SBU) We hosted a half-day conference September 7 to share
USG-funded drug prevention and treatment strategies with
public health sector decision-makers and to ensure that our
policies were clear. The program included remarks by the
Ambassador, GOL Health Minister Zilvinas Padaiga, and MP
Visockyte. Senior Advisor Stephenie Colston of the
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration discussed U.S. drug
prevention and treatment practices, and Dr. David Murray,
Special Assistant to the Director of ONDCP, addressed U.S.
national drug control policies via DVC.


6. (SBU) Colston emphasized that drug addiction is an illness
and public health problem that can and should be treated.
She discussed our treatment programs, including
high-threshold methadone replacement therapy, and underlined
that treatments should be science-based, regulated, and
continuously evaluated for effectiveness. Colston laid out
the foundations of our policies against drug legalization,
needle exchange, and injection rooms. Dr. Murray stressed
that USG policy is strictly against decriminalization or
legalization of illegal drugs. He said the U.S. will
continue to focus on prevention, treatment, and demand
reduction, citing the success of Drug Courts and other
alternatives to incarceration.


7. (SBU) Colston, along with the Ambassador, met with the
Health Minister Padaiga to highlight the importance of
science-based policies and to offer increased cooperation
with the GOL as they implement their new national drug
prevention and control program. Padaiga indicated that he
looked forward to further collaboration.

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COMMENT
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8. (SBU) The Embassy-sponsored conference was successful in
broadening the knowledge of major constituencies working on
Lithuanian drug policy, including NGOs, the Parliament, and
the GOL. Those who attended have a clearer understanding of
U.S. priorities in drug prevention and treatment and of the
importance of comprehensive treatment programs. Our speakers
were able to share our policies, strategies, and the results
of 30 years of experience in drug prevention and treatment.
We plan to organize similar events to help Lithuania
strengthen its policies. In future meetings, we will focus
on the role of communities, parents and schools in drug
prevention and on the importance of counseling and other
services as part of drug treatment programs.
MULL