PROPOSAL FOR USE OF INCLE MONEY TO CONSTRUCT A FEMALE DRUG

UNCLAS DHAKA 000108 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT PASS TO INL FOR ERENI ROESS AND CHARLES BOULDIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR KCRM BG SUBJECT: PROPOSAL FOR USE OF INCLE MONEY TO CONSTRUCT A FEMALE DRUG REHABILITATION FACILITY IN BANGLADESH ¶1. (U) Embassy Dhaka requests that the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) approve a US$50,000 grant for construction of a female drug rehabilitation facility in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The funding would come from INCLE money obligated to Post in FY2002 for counter-narcotics. ¶2. (U) The $50,000 would go to the non-government organization APON (Ashokti Punorbashon Nibash) to build a foundation/sub-structure and the initial one-story superstructure of a female treatment and rehabilitation residence for drug addicts on the outskirts of Dhaka. The center would be part of an APON Village complex that already has a building for the treatment and rehabilitation of boys and adult men drug addicts. APON has a proven record as a valued partner of the U.S. Agency for International Development on an HIV/AIDS program for female drug abusers. ¶3. (U) The proposed rural facility will greatly improve APON's ability to treat and rehabilitate female drug abusers by freeing up money now spent on expensive city rent and services for enhanced awareness, treatment, rehabilitation and aftercare activities. The rural residence also will allow APON to provide rehabilitation and treatment services to more women. ¶4. (U) The names of APON staff members have been vetted and none appear on the Excluded Party List. ¶5. (U) Embassy Dhaka's Public Affairs Officer Amy Vrampas will be the grant officer for the project. Political Officer Dan Biers will be the grant officer representative. A copy of the full grant proposal was sent via e-mail on January 13 to Ereni Roess, Charles Bouldin and Erin Barclay at INL. Anyone else who would like a copy of the full proposal can contact Dan Biers at biersdl@state.gov. Rollins