NAS VIENTIANE: REQUEST FOR GUIDANCE ON CONTINUING

UNCLAS VIENTIANE 000159

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR INL/AAE; INL C/CJ; INL/RM; INL/PC; EAP/MLS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR LA
SUBJECT: NAS VIENTIANE: REQUEST FOR GUIDANCE ON CONTINUING
FUNDING OF OPIUM ADDICTION TREATMENT

REF: A. 04 VIENTIANE 1242


B. 04 STATE 243872

C. 04 VIENTIANE 1291

D. 04 STATE 254158


1. (U) This is an action request. Please see Paragraph 6.


2. (U) Under the direction of the Lao National Commission
for Drug Control and Supervision's (LCDC) Programme
Facilitation Unit (PFU),opium treatment programs in Laos
reduced the addict population by more than 80% in 5 years,
based on GOL surveys. Despite this achievement,
approximately 8-12,000 addicts remain, and a 96% reduction in
supply has driven the average opium price above $500 per
kilogram according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and
Crime (UNODC). The GOL has reported that in some areas,
prices can reach $1,000 per kilogram. High prices and
continuing demand will make eliminating the poppy cultivation
that remains very difficult, and is a contributing factor in
the apparent increase in production which the most recent
UNODC opium survey observed.


3. (U) Further complicating the treatment of Laos'
remaining opium addicts is that those who have not yet been
treated are generally the most resistant to assistance. As
the total population of addicts declines, those untreated who
remain are the hard-core addicts least willing to participate
in detoxification programs. Once convinced to do so, they
require more care, greater follow-up, and more funding than
the previous patients.


4. (U) Up to April of 2006, NAS Vientiane had two field
advisors, one each in Luang Prahbang and Phongsaly, who were
able to provide supervision and oversight for PFU opium
treatment programs in the Lao-American Projects (LAP). The
GOL treatment programs are conducted by the PFU, a joint
UNODC/GOL entity that has been funded by the U.S. through
UNODC. However, as a result of declining resources, the NAS
no longer has advisors stationed outside Vientiane, and is
not in a position to directly fund GOL treatment programs in
these areas because we cannot provide continuous oversight.
Under these circumstances, NAS recommends that future opium
treatment should be funded through UNODC Vientiane, which
operates opium treatment programs jointly with the PFU and is
able to provide both appropriate oversight and
accountability. If INL authorizes this method of support,
the NAS would insure that U.S. funded opium detoxification
conducted by UNODC/PFU includes post-detoxification
rehabilitation, but excludes harm reduction activities.


5. (U) NAS Vientiane has an unliquidated balance of
approximately $117,000 subobligated for opium addict
treatment.


6. (U) NAS requests INL authorization for the funding of PFU
(host nation) opium addiction treatment programs through
UNODC Vientiane, and requests INL guidance on how this might
best be done.


7. (U) POC for this request is Narcotics Affairs Director
Clifford Heinzer, HeinzerCD@state.gov, IVG 586-7013/7128.
HASLACH