Pubdate: Sat, 24 Jun 2000 Source: Bangkok Post (Thailand) Copyright: The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2000 Contact: http://www.bangkokpost.co.th/ Authors: Yuwadee Tunyasiri and Aphaluck Bhatiasevi US URGED TO INCLUDE SPEED ON TARGET LIST Clinton Aide Stresses Role Of Rehabilitation The United States should include methamphetamines in its international drug-suppression effort, a special adviser to President Clinton was told in Bangkok yesterday. Jurin Laksanavisit, PM's Office minister supervising the Narcotics Control Board, told Barry McCaffrey, director of the US Office of National Drug Control Policy, that the stimulant was wreaking havoc on Thai youth. Thailand wanted Washington to maintain its role in suppressing drug trafficking in the region, Mr Jurin told Gen McCaffrey at Government House. Gen McCaffrey, who was also urged to support the funding of preventive measures to reduce drug abuse, was responsive to the issues raised, said Mr Jurin. The US official said smuggling in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea is a major area of interest for Thai and US narcotics agencies. The priorities were to nail the kingpins along with traffickers and underpin the capability of Thai institutions. Gen McCaffrey also met Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai as part of his eight-day swing, which has taken him to China, Hong Kong and Vietnam. "We have learnt more about challenges facing this strategically-located nation," he said. Thailand remained a significant trans-shipment point for drugs, "the presence of which continues to feed the nation's domestic drug addiction problem". Pointing out that methamphetamines were an emerging threat to the world, he said the United Wa State Army was the chief source of the drugs in Thailand. "Virtually all of the synthetic drugs trafficked in Thailand are produced by the Wa in Burma and enter the kingdom at various points along the Thai-Burmese border," said the US official. He called on Thailand, as a signatory to a 1993 regional counter-narcotics agreement, to encourage Burma to participate in bilateral efforts to combat Wa drug production. Though methamphetamines were less harmful than heroin, he said, governments must fight that perception because it had low production costs but high profit margins. To combat drug problems, there was a need for effective rehabilitation programmes. "If there's no effective drug treatment, law enforcement can never achieve the purpose," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D