Turn on Music, Turn Off Drugs a Success Story from Laos UNDCP Breaking New Ground in Training UNDCP and ESCAP to Fight Against E

UNDCP Eastern Horizons News on the fight against drugs and crime No. 1 in East Asia and the Pacific March 2000

Turn on music, Turn off drugs A success story from Laos UNDCP Breaking New Ground in Training UNDCP and ESCAP to Fight Against Exploitation of Children and Youth It’s only just begun Illicit drug use in highlands of East Asia reduced Turning the tide in Yunnan

EASTERN HORIZONS • 1 SHORT TAKES

TERRE DES HOMMES AND ABC BERLIN REACHING OUT: INCREASED TIES BETWEEN THE UNDCP HONOURED WITH AND CIVIL SOCIETY UN GRAND AWARD Undeniably, music can be a powerful medium to convey critical messages to today’s youth as few teenagers would admit that On October 25, 1999, Terre des hommes, in music is not an integral part of their daily lives. collaboration with the agency ABC Berlin, were Fortunately, top Japanese musical artist, Mr. Tetsuya Komuro, honoured for their campaign against the sexual has decided to take advantage of this exploitation of children in tourism. opportunity to produce a CD com- The United Nations in coop- intensify their work,” said prised of a campaign song for drug eration with the International campaign coordinator abuse prevention. The CD entitled, Public Relations Association Christa Dammermann of ‘Happiness x 3, Loneliness x 3" con- (IPRA) presented the project Terre des hommes. tains four arrangements of the song with the UN Grand Award for The advertising agency, performed by TM Network (Japa- excellent public relations in EURO RSCG Thomsen Rohle nese), Julio Iglesias Jr. (English), To k y o. in Dusseldorf was in charge of Sheila (Spanish) and Wang Lee-Hom The UN awards were es- creation and the spot was car- (Chinese). Reaching young audiences in Japan and other Asian tablished in 1990 by the De- ried out in cooperation with countries, Mr. Tetsuya Komuro decided that the proceeds from his partment of Public Informa- the European Commission CD sales should be donated to an appropriate cause. tion (DPI) in order to recog- and the German Federal Min- Thus, in conjunction with a signing ceremony on the 24th of Janu- nize campaigns that address istry for Family Affairs, Senior ary 2000, a meeting was organized in Tokyo with UNDCP Executive priority issues of the United Citizens, Women and Youth. Director Pino Arlacchi and the chairman of the board of directors of Nations. The short video “ “This award confirms us in Drug Abuse Prevention Centre (DAPC) to announce his decision to Toys”, acknowledges the our fight against child prosti- donate the profits to these respective agencies who will subse- problem of sexual exploita- tution and shows the high quently use the funds to strengthen their battle against drugs. tion of children in tourism and quality of the campaign we is intended to be shown to supported,” remarked Ger- JOINED HANDS long distance flight tourists. man Minister, Dr. Christine Six European airlines – Bergmann. However, the TO FIGHT DRUGS Lufthansa, Air Europa, battle against the exploitation Being the largest slum com- riety of activities including Sabena, Alitalia, Olympic Air- of children is far from over. munity in Thailand, Klong youth camps, sports events, ways and the charter airline As Anja Schlicht, project Toey has suffered severe so- anti-drug parades and weekly LTU have agreed to show the manager at ABC Berlin cial problems including drug meetings to discuss prob- spot free of charge during stated, “It is wonderful get- addiction, prostitution and lems prevailing in the com- their long distance flights and ting honoured for projects crime. In August 1998, munity. They exchanged and a German version is also be- which we ourselves consider UNDCP started collaboration shared information of their ing shown free of charge by important. Nevertheless, we with the Duang Prateep Foun- experiences with other youth 17 German TV stations. “We know that communication dation located in the Klong groups at a discussion forum hope that this distinction will can contribute only partially Toey Slum area in order to and seminar sessions orga- encourage all involved in the to the implementation of the combat these social problems nized by the Foundation. fight against sexual exploita- rights of the child and that through “Klong Toey Slum The project was success- tion of children in tourism to there is still a lot to be done.” Community Youth Develop- fully completed in July 1999. ment Project” for a proposed The participating youth UNDCP REPRESENTATIVE period of 12 months (8/98-7/ showed improved confidence 99). The project aimed at cre- in handling drug prevention HONOURED IN VIETNAM ating a supportive environ- activities and the communi- Mr. Jens Hannibal, the Representative of UNDCP in Vietnam ment for youth in the slum ties were seen to more was honoured with the “Certificate of Merit” by the Govern- area through community- strongly advocate drug pre- ment of Vietnam in recognition of his remarkable contribu- based approaches to primary vention. The Foundation has tion to the success of the national drug control programme prevention of drug abuse. since continued its drug pre- in Vietnam. The certificate signed Deputy PM Pham Gia The project targeted vention activities in a phase II Khiem, Chairman of VNDCC was presented to Mr. Hannibal youth from 12 communities in project entitled “Klong Toey at a function on the eve of his departure upon completion of the Klong Toey Slum area. Addictive Drug Problems his two and half year assignment in the country. Youth groups were organized Campaign” for a proposed – Information provided by UNDCP Country Office in Vietnam and edited by UNDCP Regional Centre, Bangkok. in each of these communities period from January 2000 to and each group initiated a va- December 2000.

2 • UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL PROGRAMME foreword by the undcp representative GLOBALIZATION SHOULD WORK FOR PEOPLE NOT PREY ON THEM The latest UN Human Develop- ings on drug and crime related • In Belarus drug related dents of global governance. ment report has been the last matters are presented in the re- crimes increased from 4 per Along with the commonly of the second millennium at the port. 100,00 people in 1990 to 28 in embraced benign concept of dawn of the new century. “Glo- • The illegal drug trade - 1997, and from 1 per 100,000 non-state actors, it is also im- balization” was its focus. supplying 200 million custom- to 8 in Estonia. portant to recognize and ad- Global markets, global ers - is worth around US$400 • At the heart of all this is the dress the “dark side” of an in- technology, global ideas and billion, or 8% of the world trade, growing power of organized ternationally expanding civil so- global solidarity can enrich the that is roughly the same as tex- crime syndicates, estimated to ciety. In comparison with most lives of people everywhere, the tiles (7.5%) and gas and oil gross US$ 1.5 trillion a year - a other civil society actors, report argues. The challenge is (8.6%). major economic power rivaling transnational criminal organiza- to ensure that the benefits are • A global growth industry is the multinational corporations. tions have dramatically differ- shared equitably and that this trafficking in woman and girls The Report recommends ent goals and methods of ac- increasing interdependence for the sex industry - 500,000 an agenda for action to tackle tion. They want to minimize works for people - not just for a year to Western Europe alone. the challenges of globalization their vulnerability to state con- profits. Globalization is also in- It is now a US$7 billion-a-year at all levels: Reforms of global trol of their illicit activities, and creasing human insecurity as business. governance to ensure greater they seek to enhance their illicit the spread of global crime, dis- • Illicit Trafficking in weap- equity, new regional ap- “business” opportunities - by ease and financial volatility out- ons is a growing business - de- proaches to collective action any means necessary, legal and paces actions to tackle them. stabilizing societies and gov- and negotiation and national illegal. Thus, they pose a great It is indeed well known that ernments and arming conflicts and local policies to capture op- risk to the integrity and stabil- criminals are reaping the ben- in Eastern Europe and Africa. In portunities in the global mar- ity of public order at all levels. efits of globalization. The “un- Albania there were five times as ketplace and translate them To contribute to a better un- civil society” has better thriving many murders in 1997 as in more equitably into human ad- derstanding of what works (and conditions than ever before and 1996, a rise attributed to the il- vance. what does not work) in the in- a number of interesting find- legal arming of civilians. Big numbers, scaring ternational fight against drug threats to development and abuse and narcotrafficking and peace. In Asia and the Pacific, I against organized crime the INCREASED UNDCP ACTIVITIES think - the same threats are UNDCP Regional Centre for IN EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC bolder than everywhere else. East Asia and the Pacific is glad The Commission of Narcotics Drugs (CND) of United Nations The United Nations faces to launch a renovated newslet- Economic and Social Committee (ECOSOC) approved in No- the challenge to monitor and ter. vember 99 the UNDCP global budget for 2000-2001. control more effectively ex- UNDCP-Eastern Horizons In East Asia and the Pacific the programme portfolio will be panding transnational activities (previously called UNDCP in increased by 97.5%. The UNDCP budget for drug control ac- that threaten the integrity and East Asia) will report on activi- tivities in the region will expand from $13.1 million in 1998- stability of global governance ties by civil society, govern- 1999 to $25.8 million in 2000-2001. and the global community in ments and UN bodies in the general. The corrupting and Asian fight against the Dark subversive activities of Side of globalization. transnational criminal organiza- The newsletter will be as tions are a significant challenge good (and as bad) as the read- to a working system of global ers and customers will want it governance. These organiza- to be. The quality of its report- tions pursue their self-serving ing will be largely due to the goals by creating their own au- news we receive from our net- tonomous transnational sys- work. Please help us to help all tem of quasi-governance, our and your partners in this which undermines and jeopar- endeavour. If we succeed, bet- dizes the public law and order ter information will make the on which society at all levels de- public opinion more aware that pend. globalization should work for So far, these actors and the people, not predate on them. consequences of their activities – Sandro Calvani are under-researched by stu-

EASTERN HORIZONS • 3 undcp regional endeavour 200 SCHOOLS SING AND DANCE AGAINST DRUGS On January 30th 2000, a big crowd of students and youths from Bangkok and the nearby provinces gathered at the City Centre Point to watch the anti-drug music competition and performance by groups of students from secondary schools and technical colleges.

As part of the campaign on TURN ON cooperated with ONCB to launch public MUSIC, TURN OFF DRUGS, the music campaigns against drugs among students competition was organized by UNDCP Re- and youths. In addition to the mass Anti- gional Centre in cooperation with the Of- drugs Parade on 26 June 1999, the Music fice of Narcotics Control of Thailand, BEC- Competition was launched to encourage The group taking the second place TERO Entertainment, a well-known media groups of students to create anti-drug in the anti drug music competition production company and the Ministry of music and songs. Education. The aims were to promote pub- Over 200 schools and lic awareness on drug problems among colleges from Bangkok and students and youths and to encourage the provinces entered the them to say YES to music and say NO to competition and submitted drugs. their recorded tapes to the or- Recently the abuse of synthetic drugs, ganizers. After two rounds of especially methamphetamine, has spread screening, 10 outstanding to students and youths throughout the teams were chosen by the country. The survey of ABAC-KSC Internet Selection Committee to par- Poll Research Centre in September 1999 ticipate in the final competi- revealed that over 600,000 students were tion. Prior to the final contest,

involved in drugs. Almost 55% of them a three-day Music Camp/ The winners of the TURN abused methamphetamine, 20% mari- Workshop was organized ON MUSIC, TURN OF DRUGS music competition huana, 18% volatile substances, and 7% from the 21-23 of January at other drugs. In recognition of this emerg- the UN Convention Centre and ONCB to fur- ing and performance skills and integrate ing problem, UNDCP Regional Centre has ther train these selected students on sing- anti-drug messages into their music and performance. A joint press conference on ASIAN HEADS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT: the competition was launched to attract the media and the public to the event. In addi- MORE INTERNATIONAL tion, anti-drug messages and interviews were also broadcast by various radio and TV CO-OPERATION ESSENTIAL channels. In the afternoon January 30th, the 10 Recognizing that the Bangkok from the 7-10 of Another outcome of the countries of the region are December 1999. Delegates meeting was the recommen- finalists put on their outstanding perfor- mances in front of the large audience at the linked by the problems of from thirty-three countries dation that signature analysis City Centre Point in Bangkok. The an- the illicit drug trade, it has participated in an open and on major seizures of ATS recently been determined constructive meeting. should be undertaken and the nouncement of the winners were made at the end of the competition. The finalist at a meeting that collabo- It was acknowledged results made available to all awards and complimentary prizes were rative efforts and the ex- that the majority of States drug law enforcement change of information, within the region have en- through the regional focal jointly presented by Dr. Sandro Calvani, Representative of UNDCP Regional Centre training and operational tered into subregional drug point of ATS information that and Khun Rasamee Vistaveth, ONCB assistance, are the key to control agreements, both will be established by the future success in the drug with and without the assis- UNDCP. The last notable rec- Deputy Secretary-General. The Music Competition attracted a lot control efforts. tance of UNDCP support; ommendation was the States of interest and participation from educa- The twenty-third nevertheless, more effort is of the region should establish meeting of the Heads of required to strengthen the a national capacity for data tional institutions, students, and youths as well as mass media and the public as a National Drug Law En- commitment to develop collection to collate and ana- whole. It is hoped that these participating forcement Agencies these agreements further lyze information on the illicit (HONLEA), Asia and the and enter into operational production and trafficking of students will continue to use music as a ve- hicle to carry anti-drug messages to their Pacific took place in exchanges. heroin. friends and the society.

4 • UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL PROGRAMME ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT AT ITS BEST: A SUCCESS STORY FROM LAOS Among the mountainous areas of Laos the Palaveck project has set a successful example in how to effectively eliminate the production, consumption and trafficking of illicit drugs like opium through close co-operation between the Lao Government and the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP).

The project is running in highland areas, ecological options to sub- where the people have a tradition of pro- stitute opium growing ducing opium. Today, Laos is the third larg- were tested and demon- est opium producing country in the world. strated. The ones proved More than half of all opium produced ev- successful are now an es- ery year is consumed locally, the rest finds sential part of the ‘alterna- its way to other parts of the world through tive development ap- illegal drug trafficking. Drug control efforts proach’ ready for replica- thus remain a major concern of the Lao tion in other opium grow- government and continuous to be given ing areas in Laos. high political priority. The alternative devel- One of the first projects targeted at opment approach, intro- curbing opium poppy production was an duced by the Palaveck UNDCP funded project for drug supply and project has over a short demand reduction started in the remote period of time transformed a previously Over the next 6 years, Lao PDR and the area of Palaveck Sub-District. Hmong food deficient area into one producing a UNDCP will initiate a poverty alleviating people who historically have been deeply rice surplus. Diversification of crops, live- and opium eliminating programme strat- involved in illicit opium production and traf- stock vaccination, promotion of income egy similar to the one of Palaveck. Total ficking inhabit the area. generating activities and rural credit sys- costs are estimated at US$ 80 million cov- The project was implemented during a tems, better health services and sanitation, ering the opium growing districts of Lao period of seven years, starting from July improved irrigation systems and upgraded PDR. This programme strategy is referred 1989. At the beginning of project, the roads, soil conservation and environment to as an historic agreement between H.E. Palaveck Sub-District was an isolated and protection, have resulted in an improved Kharntay Sipandone, President of Lao PDR remote area. Travelling from Vientiane to socio-economic situation for the people of and Mr. Pino Arlacchi, Executive Director Palaveck took several days, food shortages Palaveck. The project has also been able of UNDCP. and various diseases were common, ma- to significantly reduce opium production This agreement represents a break- laria was a major cause of death, and more and consumption in the area. through in diminishing a major source of than 50 percent of the children born in the UNDCP is entrusted with the respon- opium production in Asia and enabling area did not reach the age of 5 years. sibility for co-ordination and providing government and donors to address openly Opium poppy cultivation was a main in- leadership for UN drug control efforts. The and systematically this deep-seated devel- come for the farmers, but often also re- challenges facing Laos during the new mil- opment issue that lies at the heart of the sulted in drug addiction and thus a situa- lennium rest with the gradual elimination poverty and associated addiction in North- tion of poverty for many people. of illicit opium production and tackling the ern Lao PDR. The success of the Palaveck The main objective of the Palaveck problems of drugs, such as heroin and project will be replicated throughout the project was to initiate socio-economic de- amphetamine, effecting its population at opium producing highlands of Laos. velopment that would enable the farmers large. These challenges can be met – Information provided by UNDCP Country to replace and eliminate illicit drug cultiva- through the same means as the ones used Office in Lao PDR and edited by tion and abuse. Viable economic, social and in the Palaveck project. UNDCP Regional Centre, Bangkok.

EASTERN HORIZONS • 5 UNDCP in action

Widespread drug production, abuse and trafficking in East Asia call for a collective response from governments in the region to join forces and develop a framework for effective cooperation in drug control. UNDCP BREAKIN GROUND IN TRAI The UNDCP Regional Centre in Bangkok is delivering training to the drug law enforcement community in 6 countries in East Asia; however, it is training with a dif- ference. Front line staff are being taught knowledge and skills in a whole range of drug related topics through computer based training. This project is the first of its kind in the drug law enforcement field. It should be regarded as a model, a means of establishing the best practice for other agencies to follow. The training has been designed and developed using subject experts from all around the world. The end result is 70 hours of learning that includes high quality voice, pictures, graphics, video and ani- mation through interaction, simulation and tests in the users own language. The training will be delivered in Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam through computer networks or stand- alone computers in dedicated training sites and learning resource centres in high risk drug areas. A management information system collects student data such as name of student, location, courses undertaken, les- sons and courses completed, pre and post course examination results and many other student performance statistics. The curriculum includes: • risk assessment, profiling and selection methods at border crossings, inland checkpoints, airports and seaports • risk management techniques • search techniques – vehicles, people, premises, aircraft • investigation techniques • intelligence methods • drug identification and testing Professional law enforcement officers from different • controlled deliveries backgrounds interacts to solve learning assignments • money laundering Results have been encouraging as

6 • UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL PROGRAMME gion to join forces and develop a framework demand. for effective cooperation in drug control. Furthermore, existing training bud- In 1993, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand gets were already stretched and countries and UNDCP signed an MOU to pursue col- lacked subject experts and training spe- laborative efforts to deal with the drug cialists. Computer based training was problems in the sub-region. They were seen as the solution to the training prob- joined by Cambodia and Vietnam in 1995. lem. Training and subject experts from The UNDCP and the 6 MOU countries various drug law enforcement agencies NG NEW have agreed on a Subregional Action Plan around the world designed paper based outlining priority projects. Training front training modules, which were then con- line drug law enforcement personnel was verted into multimedia interactive train- seen as a high priority. An in-depth training packages by multimedia production INING ing needs analysis revealed that drug law companies based in Thailand. enforcement agencies needed to improve Although computer based training drug law enforcement agencies have found basic skills, particularly from line staff who has seen to have benefits for the 6 MOU many benefits though actual use: form the first line of defence against drug countries, this type of training methodol- • Because this type of training is not de- and precursor trafficking. The target popu- ogy is not limited to this region. It can be pendent on the availability of trainers and lation was estimated at more than 1 mil- used worldwide, particularly in those training facilities, training is available on a lion. Traditional training methods such as countries and regions where large groups continuous basis and allows personnel to classroom training could not meet such a of people need to be trained quickly. be trained quickly • Training can be provided immediately. UNDCP AND ESCAP WORK TOGETHER There are not the delays usually associated with classroom training where planning, priorities and budget restrictions effect de- TO GUARD AGAINST livery timescales EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH • Training is available 24 hours a day “Integrating substance abuse prevention, treatment and and this provides flexibility. For example, rehabilitation into actions against sexual abuse and exploitation of students can train during down time children and youth in the Greater Mekong Subregion,” is the title of a • Everyone gets the same training to fifteen month project that began in April 1999. the same standard • There is a significant reduction in Supported by the Swedish International design, it was decided that the assistance training costs. Because it is delivered close Development Cooperation (SIDA) and of UNDCP should be sought in two areas. to the workplace there are real savings in partially by United Nations Population First, in the development of a gender- the cost of student travel and overnight ac- Fund (UNFPA), the project is an inte- sensitive HRD training module for social commodations, as well as saving in the grated component of the three year service and health personnel to enhance cost of trainers and cost of maintaining and ESCAP project entitled, “Strengthening their capabilities in dealing with sub- running training activities national Human Resources Development stance abuse problems among children • Because the training has been de- (HRD) capabilities through training of and youth at risk and/or victims of sexual signed to interact with and stimulate a user, social service and health personnel to abuse and exploitation. Consequently, a this increases the retention of the learning combat abuse and sexual exploitation of two week training session is tentatively • The training can be accessed many children and youth in GMS”. scheduled for mid 2000 in Thailand times, for example for a refresher training The project was formulated in direct where three days of the training period or simply as a point of reference response to the concerns expressed by will be devoted to lectures on drug abuse. • Useful training evaluation data is pro- ESCAP member governments during the The second area ESCAP requested duced through a management information Asia-Pacific Meeting on Human Re- collaboration was in the implementation system sources Development for Youth held in of pilot projects focused on community • It provides one to one training that al- Beijing in October 1996 who stressed the awareness in the six participating coun- lows trainees to learn at their own speed lack of information on the situation of tries – Viet Nam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, • Students can make mistakes in pri- sexual abuse and exploitation of youth. China (Yunnan), Myanmar and Thailand vate with any loss of face Implemented by the HRD section of – with a vulnerable population at risk of This training initiative emanates from ESCAP, preliminary findings of the three- sexual abuse, exploitation and substance a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) year project indicated that sexually abuse. that UNDCP has signed with the Govern- abused and sexually exploited children ESCAP in consultation with UNDCP ments of the 6 countries mentioned previ- are either substance abusers or are and the National Counterpart Organiza- ously. Widespread drug production, abuse highly vulnerable to substance abuse. Al- tion have selected sites and implemen- and trafficking in East Asia call for a collec- though a substance abuse component tation of the pilot projects began in the tive response from governments in the re- was not in the original plan of the project’s beginning of 2000.

EASTERN HORIZONS • 7 special feature IT’S ONLY JUST BEGUN The major money-laundering and corruption case uncovered in Russia and the USA goes in line with the continuing trend that has brought the problem of dirty money and “hot” money to the top of the list of world-wide priorities.

By Pino Arlacchi profits on that scale. Other factors have to large country turned upside down by the be involved - those illegal activities that, con- forces of the global illegal market. Three Anyone who witnessed events in Italy in the trary to what is generally thought, produce years ago the same fate befell a small coun- 70s and 80s – with the chapters on the higher figures: tax evasion, political and ad- try like Albania, triggering a crisis that cost Sindona and Ambrosiano affairs and the oil ministrative corruption, corporate fraud and the international community, and Italy in crisis, the stories of “black” funds and in- the large-scale plundering of natural re- particular, quite dear. And there are several ternational aid and of hoards and kickbacks sources such as oil and aluminium. other candidates for the next crisis like this. exported to Switzerland and elsewhere – This means there has to be much What can be done, then, to fight this dis- will perhaps not be very impressed by greater complicity than that existing within ease? We need a improvement in the rules reading the reports which appeared in the the Russian élite itself. Even the Russian for prevention, in international standards press world-wide. Central Bank, with big enough to launder and in the very tools for control and sup- Admittedly, the plots and characters in sums on that scale. Many intermediaries, pression. There is an ongoing discussion on this case are not very original, but we many banks and many coun- should not overlook the unusual scale of tries are required. Or alterna- the quantities at stake, and the degree to tive bits of countries, offshore which legal transactions mingle with ille- jurisdictions for example, gal ones, as emerging from every aspect where the “hot” money of le- of the story. gal and “grey” speculation Although the legal profile of what is can mingle easily with the emerging will probably remain uncertain, dirty money produced by the it is sure that the sum of 10,000 million trade in people and drugs, dollars transferred over a period of two and with perfectly clean years to two American banks involved rep- money, with nearly a quarter resents on its own 3% of the total annual point of extra yield. gross domestic product of Russia, a coun- All this makes the work of try that is still powerful, with an enormous the inquiry team extremely nuclear arsenal, but a modest economic difficult. The great money- base, similar to that of a country the size of laundering operation and its the Netherlands. illegal sources are blended in The outcome of the court case is un- so thoroughly with global fi- predictable since it will be fairly difficult to nancial flows that it has now establish the exact origin of the capital that become a difficult undertak- Prof. Pino Arlacchi, has fled from Russia to banks in Switzer- ing to bring retrospective pro- executive director of land. The USA and the European Union ceeding by traditional judicial the UNDCP. through channels identified by the inves- routes. This is the reason for tigators. Some of them are hedging their the meagre results, in terms of sums re- a powerful strategy to be adopted soon to bets, stressing the enormity and complex- covered, generally achieved in cases like make financial flows more stable and trans- ity of the case that is compromising inquir- that being investigated. parent. This would consist in creating a ies into the facts and the responsibility of But money laundering, together with its world agency for security in trade, with uni- individual people. inevitable connection with organised crime versal jurisdiction and a supra-national Russia today is a country with a popu- and corruption, has at the same time be- workforce: a sort of world-wide financial po- lation of 160 million and a gross domestic come one of the greatest threats to the se- lice force with a broad mandate that in- product of only 400,000 million dollars. The curity and stability of states and to our soci- cludes prevention activities, capable of in- disposable income of its population ety as a whole. It is a mistake, therefore, to tervening in real time in any corner of the amounts to $4,500 p.a., i.e. less than the concentrate one’s attention just on Russia globe. per capita income of Brazil, Mexico and and its difficult transition to democracy. The Before working in the world of interna- South Africa, and some seventy Russian crisis is just the first example of a tional relations, the author used to be in other countries. In the Russian Fed- favour of that strategy. But there eration there are no conventional “A series of universal anti-laundering is another, more realistic line of criminal markets - in the sense of and anti-corruption standards conduct. A series of universal drug trafficking, prostitution, rack- should be established and adopted” anti-laundering and anti-corrup- eteering, gambling or even arms (Continues on page 10)

8 • UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL PROGRAMME undcp regional project REDUCING ILLICIT DRUG USE IN THE HIGHLANDS OF EAST ASIA

The primary objective of the project is Ethnic highland to develop community, national, and villagers of all generations agree regional capabilities to reduce the to combat illicit illicit use of drugs and related social drug use. problems among selected highland ethnic minority groups.

Located in the mountainous regions of lish the priority of socio-economic East Asia, the people of the ethnic high- needs with the highland communi- lands have traditionally had a higher level ties. Drug abuse in the highlands of opium abuse compared to other com- could not be addressed in isolation; munities. To address the increasing drug therefore, data was collected and abuse prevalence in ethnic highland vil- major themes were identified in- lages and towns, 5 of the 6 MOU Govern- cluding: income and food security, ments (China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, clean water, health care, sanitation, and Vietnam) have identified the need for access to credit, roads to market, more informed and effective approaches and electricity. to sustainable community-based drug de- Another major component of the mand reduction. project was to build community- In response, UNDCP is leading a 3 year based detoxification centres to help regional pilot project that focuses on the men and women recover from their development of national capacities to de- addictions. The centres were con- sign and deliver programmes with a strong the selection of the seventeen different structed and detoxification has occurred, community base. The primary objective of ethnic villages. Since then, the project has except in Vietnam which will be completed the project is to develop community, na- been met with considerable success as all before June 2000, the targeted closing tional, and regional capabilities to reduce of the planned activities are either com- date of the project. Encouragingly, no new the illicit use of drugs and related social pleted or underway. Numerous consulta- addiction cases have been identified. problems among selected highland ethnic tions have occurred with government offi- Post detoxification care was also con- minority groups. As well, the project hopes cials at many levels to enhance their gen- sidered to be a critical part of the treatment to build a network to further advocate the eral understanding of community based continuum, particularly as it relates to as- socio-economic development of highland approaches to drug demand reduction. sisting addicts with their social and eco- communities. Baseline surveys and needs assess- nomic reintegration into their community. Preparatory work began in 1997 with ment exercises were conducted to estab- Thus, post-treatment care services were established through counselling, periodic home visits, the establishment of essential services such as clean water and electric- STRENGTHENING ity, and the involvement of family members and friends to provide support for recov- FIGHT AGAINST METHAMPHETAMINE ering addicts. An income generation rehabilitation plan was also implemented and The conference on Amphetamine-Type cerning demand reduction and prevention supported by loans from the community Stimulants (ATS) was convened in Tokyo in the region. trust fund created by the project. from 24 to 27 January 2000 to facilitate It provided a forum for exchange of in- As the Highlands project comes to a consensus on decisive and coordinated formation and good practices, which in- close, an evaluation was conducted and is counter-actions by Governments, not only cluded practical measures for national and currently under review. Tentatively, a re- in the East and South-East Asia region, but regional implementation of the ATS Action vised draft will be available to selected par- from around the world. Plan adopted by the 20th Special Session ties by the end of February. Encouragingly, Organized by UNDCP in conjunction of the UN General Assembly. two countries–Myanmar and Vietnam– with the Government of Japan, the con- Priorities were also established for fu- have received funding to continue the ference achieved its expected outcomes ture action to combat ATS problems at the project’s activities independently and it is to raise awareness of the problems re- national, regional and international levels, anticipated that other highland communi- lated to the regulation and control of ATS as ATS is acknowledged as the key global ties with similar problems will benefit from and its precursors, as well as issues con- drug problem in the 21st century. the project outcomes.

EASTERN HORIZONS • 9 undcp regional round up TURNING THE TIDE IN YUNNAN The Chinese Province of Yunnan, due to its geographical most liberal health care officials in keeping people off drugs. position neighbouring Myanmar which is the second in western countries, talk of the The outcome of the efforts in largest producer of heroin in the world, faces the most need for community care and Yunnan is, that it is the only serious drug problems of any Chinese province. counselling once the inmates province in China the number of Due to the extreme situation, using the harsh means used to return home. An approach, registered drug users are actu- the authorities in Yunnan trying punish criminals. Drug addicts which visiting drug experts say, ally decreasing. to control the drug situation are who are identified for the first have had considerable success forced to use new and time are sent for detoxification untraditional means, which have in special centres. The Kunming We need an universal proved to be quite successful. camp with unguarded gates has The authorities have chosen to 2,000 inmates who undergo a offensive against corruption (Continues from page 8) focus on prevention and cure for mixture of detoxification, coun- addiction where police in other selling and bootcamp. The repu- tion standards should be established and adopted and, at the places in China would treat it as tation of the centre’s approach same time, the barriers to circulation of information and inves- a crime. But in Yunnan drug ad- has spread and about half the in- tigators should be gradually brought down. This means gener- dicts are seen more as law of- mates come from other Chinese alizing and accelerating the dynamics already in train in the fenders than as criminals. provinces. In fact, a good por- more developed countries, based on the example of Europol, The distinction enables the tion are volunteers who pay 150 the European police force and some agencies in the European police to help the drug addicts yuan ($18) a week to go clean. Commission in Brussels. to correct themselves instead of The Kunming police, like The UN office in Vienna is in the forefront here, in propos- http://www.ezyhealth.com ing strategies for solving the problem. We were the first, as early as last June, to focus on a crucial point in the fight against SINGAPORE money laundering: the need to abolish two areas of impunity: banking secrecy and the forms of offshore legislation that have ON DRUGS TO blossomed in some seventy tax havens. TAKES WAR CYBERSPACE We are working on a proposal to introduce a universal offensive against corruption, so as to prevent the current regime of double standards under which the corruption of a country’s citizens is punished if it takes place within that country and Singapore’s first anti-drug cam- San told the press that there is allowed to carry on freely if outside the country’s borders. paign has recently been no magic pill to overcome the We are working in conjunction with the leaders of the World launched on the Internet. The multi-faced drug problem but Bank and the International Monetary Fund, as well as with many Internet was chosen by the this campaign was a step in the Member States. But we will not be successful if public opinion Singaporeans to be the me- right direction. The Internet, a in the developed country, sensitive to these topics, like Italy, dium of the campaign in order new ubiquitous medium in the does not follow. – Prof. Pino Arlacchi to target youth as a group. An economy, has been used by – This article, taken from UNO & Society magazine Ausgabe 312/ 99, is the English translation of an article by Pino Arlacchi which obvious choice since many the young students as a way to was published in the Italian daily “II Corriere della Sera”. Internet users belong to the tar- learn new things. In this context get group and no other age the Internet is seen as one of Eastern Horizons was force, making this curious guest group uses the Internet as fre- the most important ways to get among the curious ones who feel nostalgic for the glorious quently as young people do. the message, “say NO to hurried to visit the Singaporean days of Wulfenstein I. The pro- Consequently, using the Drugs” across to youths. anti-drug website. We were im- fessionalism behind the techni- Internet seems to be an idea of The campaign focuses on pressed! The website is exten- cal design of the website is ex- great potential. The central active participation by creating sive, combining interactive ele- ceptional and, which in itself website of the campaign is web-based competitions which ments, like games and compe- makes the website worth a visit. organised by the National are open to students ranging titions, together with informa- However, using the infor- Council Against Drug Abuse from primary schools to univer- tion about different drugs such mation on Ecstasy as an ex- (NCADA), the Central Narcotics sities. The competitions involve as their their effects on humans ample, this guest found it hard Bureau and Ezyhealth Asia a webpage design and a ques- and the legal ramifications for to understand why anyone Pacific Pte Ltd. There is access tionnaire testing the student’s the unlucky person gets caught would risk up to 10 years in jail to the Singaporean anti drug knowledge about drugs. The with any illicit drug in Singapore. and a $20,000 fine in order to website at http:// correct answers are available at The front page of the site achieve diarrhoea, extreme www.ezyhealth.com. another location on the website, starts like a computer game in- thirst, hyperactivity, headaches At the launch of the website encouraging the students to viting you inside to serve with and dizziness, nausea and vom- the NCADA Chairman Lim Hock visit all the webpages. the secret A.N.D.Y. millennium iting or loss of appetite.

10 • UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL PROGRAMME REDUCING ATS ABUSE IN CHINA UNDCP project entitled, “Interdiction and Seizure Capacity Building in Yunnan Province” aims to reduce the traffic of illicit narcotic drugs and controlled chemicals within China, specifically in the Yunnan province that borders Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam.

The objective of this three-year nomic and Technical Exchange project is to be achieved by (CICETE), and the UNDP in re- strengthening the law enforce- spect to the project. ment capabilities of the Chinese On October 11-12th, 1999, a the organization of training ALTERNATIVES Police and Customs Adminis- meeting was organized in courses and workshops, and EXIST tration at provincial and local Beijing, China to discuss the the potential for future UNDCP provision of UNDCP assistance The very successful elimina- levels. projects. to Yunnan province. Mr. Yngve Overall, all parties involved tion of opium poppy growing Considerable time had Darling, Law Enforcement Ad- in the mission felt it was a in Northern Thailand has al- passed since a representative visor for UNDCP and Mr. ways been based on the fact of the UNDCP Regional Centre worthwhile visit that empha- George Atkinson, UNDCP con- sized the problem of drug that alternatives exist. had visited UNDP Beijing, and sultant, attended. abuse and trafficking in China. Through joint efforts of the in view of ongoing and possible Discussions centered on a Royal Project and the Thai/ projected activities, it was im- It was recognized that recent wide range of topics including large seizures of ATS in the UN Crop Replacement and perative that closer links be es- emphasis on increased com- Southeastern provinces are a Community Development tablished. Moreover, discus- munication among involved Projects, the opium poppy sions were necessary between cause for concern and are in- parties, financial matters, the dicative of a far greater abuse has gradually been replaced the National Narcotic Control procurement of equipment for situation than the authorities with other cash crops. One of Commission (NNCC), the China other countries in the region, these are coffee, which International Centre for Eco- are prepared to acknowledge. through the brand Hill Tribe Gourmet Coffee is available at among other places ma- INTENSIFIED ANTI-DRUG MOVE jor hotels and tax free on Thai Airways international IN NORTHERN PHILIPPINES flights. An intensification of the police amine) were confiscated. due to increased police efforts. efforts against drug trafficking Police records showed that Another important trend is METH in Northern Philippines has resulted in some gratifying during the first quarter of last that more than 2,000 illegal AMPHETAMINE achievements. year, a total of 1,413 communi- drug dependants in the region SEIZED IN No less than 4,500 drug ped- ties in Central Luzon (located in have volunteered to be treated HANOI dlers and users were arrested, Northern Phillippines) were un- in drug rehabilitation centres. Methamphetamine was and more than 200 kg of mari- der the influence of illegal drug However, the majority are been seized for the first time in juana and 10 kg of shabu (the traffickers. Encouragingly, this treated as out-patients due to Hanoi. One hundred and local name for methamphet- number has been cut in half the lack of rehabilitation centres. eighty-nine tablets with WY lettering on the side, 4 cap- As part of their drug prevention sules of methamphetamine campaign, UNDCP’s country office in Myanmar has power, and 44.2 grams of translated two posters into heroin were discovered and Burmese, Shan, Kachin, and Chinese, which are the most confiscated by Dong Da Dis- common languages of the trict Police in a house search areas where UNDCP operates. They have been distributed to at Linh Dam living quarter. Embassies, UN agencies, The search was conducted Government counterpart offices, project sites, tea shops after the arrest of the alleged which are main social gathering drug dealer Pham Quang centres for the Myanmar Vinh (alias “the Mask”). people, trains, and railway guesthouses. – Information provided by UNDCP Country Office in – Information provided by UNDCP Vietnam and edited by Country Office in Myanmar and UNDCP Regional Centre, edited by UNDCP Regional Bangkok. Centre, Bangkok.

EASTERN HORIZONS • 11 staff-news List of documents previously Mr. Sandro Calvani, (Italy) In November 1999, we distributed by the Regional Centre were pleased to welcome Dr. Sandro Calvani as the 1999 to Countering the World new Representative of the UNDCP Regional Centre • Global Illicit Drug Trends Drug Problem Together for East Asia and the Pacific. His extensive experi- 1999 8-10 June 1998: Political ence with UNDCP will bring new vision and exper- • Drug Abuse Rapid Situation Declaration Guiding Assessments and Responses Principles of Drug Demand tise to the Regional Centre, which is already appar- • UNDCP Technical Series Reduction Measures to ent since his arrival just a few months ago. Dr. Calvani has been a • Attacking the profits of Enhance International senior manager of the WHO in Addis Ababa and Brazzaville; UNDCP crime: Drugs, Money and Cooperation to Counter the Representative in La Paz, Bolivia, Barbados, Regional Office for the Laundering World Drug Problem • United Nations Global 14. Leaflet: What do you Caribbean; and Brussels, Belgium (EU Institutions). On behalf of Programme against Money really know about drugs ? the staff at the Regional Centre, we wish Dr. Calvani all the best Laundering 15. Update October 1999 with his new responsibilities and look forward to working along- • Model legislation on 16. Poster: Turn on Music, laundering, confiscation and Turn off drugs. side of him during the years to come. international cooperation 17. 4 Posters: Do Drugs kill ? in relation to the proceeds Ask the survivors Mr. Gerassimos Fourlanos, Greece has joined the Regional Centre of crime (4 different pictures). as project coordinator of project “Strengthening of Juridical and • Financial Havens, Banking 18. Poster: If your best friend Secrecy and Money- is drugs, choose a better Prosecutorial Drug Control in East Asia”. Gerassimos brings to Laundering one in 2000. UNDCP a strong experience in international law and legal training. • Hong Kong Narcotics 19. Poster: Choose to live in Report 1999 2000, choose to live Mr. Marc Morival, (Belgium) project coordinator of project “Sub- • Thailand Narcotics Annual without drugs. Report 1998-1999 regional Development of Institutional Capacity for Demand Reduc- • World Drug Report 2000 tion among High Risk Groups” moved with the project office to • UNDCP Facing the 1. Summary of the Meeting the UNDCP country office in Vientiane, Laos. His experience will Challenge on the Regional Centre’s • 1998 Report of INCB Strategies for the Pacific strengthen also the Lao Country office demand reduction policies. • Special Session of the Region General Assembly Devoted Mr. Kesrat Sukasem, (Thailand) UNDCP programme officer has left the Regional Centre to join the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, where he will be responsible for developing ASEAN’s programmes on drug issues. UN Videos about Drug Abuse Good luck Kesrat! It is possible to order a num- tion about how to order the ber of UN produced videos videos are available on the Ms. Martina Melis, (Denmark) has joined the office about drug abuse and UN Internet. Either through a as a temporary programme officer to replace Mr. drug control programs. link available at the Internet Kesrat Sukasem. Martina has gained significant ex- Among the subjects are a address of the UNDCP Re- perience in inter agency coordination and in social video about alternative devel- gional Centre, which is http:/ awareness projects during her previous assignments opment in Northern Thailand /undcp.undp.or.th or directly with the UN. and a video about the rehabili- from http://www.un.org/av/ tation of drug users. Informa- special/drugs/drugunia.htm Ms. Rebecca Miller, (Canada) has joined the Regional Centre as an intern from Queen’s University of Kingston, Ontario. Rebecca will work on public in- Tenth United Nations Congress formation activities and legal training. She brings to on the Prevention us the latest knowledge on educational issues, ju- venile offenders and the juridical system and on re- of Crime and the search methodology. Treatment of Offenders United Nations congresses on the prevention of crime and Mr. Sitthichai Chonrabuddha, (Thailand) project officer of “Reduc- the treatment of offenders have been held every five years ing Illicit Drug Use in the Highlands of East Asia” has left the Re- since 1955. This year the millennium congress will be held in gional Centre at the completion of his contract. Vienna, Austria, 10 to 17 April. More information is available on the Internet at http://www.uncjin.org/Documents/ 10thcongress/10thcongress.html

UNDCP EASTERN HORIZONS is published by the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) in Bangkok, Thailand with contributions from the country offices in Vietnam, Lao PDR and Myanmar. Editor: Peter Lunding, Tel: (66 2) 288-2537 Email: [email protected] Deputy editor: Rebecca Miller Tel: (66 2) 288-1963 For further information, please contact: UNDCP Regional Centre for East Asia and the Pacific, 14th Floor, United Nations Building Rajdamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok 10200, Thailand Tel: (+66-2) 288-2083 Fax: (+66-2) 281-2129 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.undcp.undp.or.th Not an official document. For information only. Opinions expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the view of the United Nations