AIPA aims to strengthen drug-free environment
Thailand, as this year’s chair of the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, is hosting a four-day anti-drugs consultation session.
The meeting of the AIPA Advisory Council on Dangerous Drugs is being held for a second time in Chiang Mai province.
Opened by Thailand’s president of the National Legislative Assembly, acting as AIPA chair this year, Pornpetch Wichitcholchai said the forum was aimed at seeking a resolution on strengthening the Asean community towards drug free environment.
Updates were provided to the participants and proposals on alternative developments towards a drug-free Asean community were proposed, with the focus on the practices of communities with the support of concerned agencies.
Thailand demonstrated a successful case for alternative development in Doi Inthanon of Chiang Mai, where ethnic minorities, who once widely grew narcotic crops, turned to organic farming and became a success story.
“Local communities play a key role in narcotic drug prevention and suppression and they should be encouraged to find the strength to developed [prevention] further as a fundamental for drug-free practice,” said Pornpetch.
The meeting would also discuss about the AIPACODD’s future and the set-up of a “special desk” to follow up work progress.
The meeting ends tomorrow.