Senior Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Anh Tuyen, deputy head of the Standing Office on Drug Control (SODC) talked about the challenges facing the fight against illegal drugs in ASEAN countries in an exclusive interview granted to VOVNews on the occasion of World Anti-Narcotics Day (June 26).

VOVNews: Could you elaborate on Vietnam’s role as ASEAN Chair and its coordination with other ASEAN member countries in combating drugs?
Mr Tuyen: Drug prevention and control is one of the major areas of cooperation amongst ASEAN countries, because ASEAN is considered a hot spot for drug production, trafficking and abuse. Being aware of this scourge, ASEAN countries have for a long time provided mechanisms of cooperation to clean up this crime.

The recently approved ASEAN Charter says ASEAN countries are committed to increasing cooperation to build a healthy and drug-free environment. They have made strong political commitments to establishing a drug free ASEAN by 2015. 

As ASEAN Chair this year, Vietnam has carried out a number of activities, including a cooperation programme on drug prevention and control with other ASEAN countries. Two years ago, Vietnam was assigned to develop a programme of action in the area, which was approved at an ASEAN summit in Cambodia in 1999.

This year, Vietnam has set up a system of standards and conformance in reporting to make accurate assessments and strengthen cooperation in fighting drug-related crime, support drug detoxification and eliminate poppy trees.

Vietnam has encouraged cooperation in the area between ASEAN and its dialogue partners (China, Japan and the Republic of Korea). We are carrying out a joint project on drug prevention and control between ASEAN and the RoK, which will be reviewed by the end of this month. China has also carried out activities to support training and the purchase of equipment for ASEAN countries.

The ASEAN inter-parliamentary working group has drafted a resolution, calling on ASEAN parliaments to support their law enforcement agencies in combating the crime. 

ASEAN countries have also signed an agreement on legal aid, allowing member countries to coordinate in investigation, prosecution, trial and extradition of criminals, including those involved in drug crimes.

VOVNews: There is in an increase in the number of trans-national trafficking rings of drugs and precursors between ASEAN countries. What have regional countries done to deal with the situation?

Mr. Tuyen: ASEAN is considered a big centre for producing drugs and synthetic drugs such as amphetamine and estacy tablets. So cooperation in combating drug crimes forms a core in ASEAN’s programme of action.

We have shared information and worked closely together to examine illegal workshops, and investigate and arrest kingpins. We have paid much attention to controlling border areas to prevent drugs being trafficked from one place to another, with a particular focus on the Greater Mekong Subregion.

Regional countries have established a network of trans-border liaison offices, including nine between Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. These offices will help realise ASEAN countries’ political commitments and increase links between their law enforcement agencies.

We have increased inspections of consignments of precursors transported across borders to ensure the legality of these substances. We have also developed models for training staff to ensure investigations and screenings do not affect the environment.

VOVNews: What are the opportunities and challenges facing ASEAN in building a drug-free region by 2015?
Mr. Tuyen: We have received great support from regional governments which have formed specialised organisations and built legal documents. We have also received strong support from the international community, dialogue partners and UN organisations.

ASEAN countries have achieved encouraging results in drug prevention and control. Several countries have eliminated poppy cultivation. Myanmar, for instance, has uprooted two thirds of its puppy cultivation area and will complete the work by 2014.

However, there remain challenges ahead. The trading, trafficking and abuse of drugs remain complicated around the world. In recent years, there have been drug-related crimes from Africa, South Asia, South America and Europe found in Southeast Asia.

ASEAN countries have gradually developed their transport systems to speed up international integration. Modern transport systems will facilitate trade exchanges, but it’s our task to crack down on drug crime.

The fact is that ASEAN countries have differences in their legal systems, including different regulations on offences and law enforcement, as well as obstacles to territorial sovereignty. Therefore, they have signed a protocol on legal aid and standards and conformance on procedures, making it easier for their relevant agencies to work closely in the fight.

Our commitments are clear and have received great support from everyone, from politicians to residents. The crux of the matter is how to translate these political commitments into specific action. Many programmes of action have been drawn up, but they need to be jointly carried out to prove efficient.

In addition, ASEAN countries need to identify difficulties and challenges to revise their strategies to quickly adapt to global changes.