New drug law ensures fair judgment

A new drug law approved by the National Assembly yesterday will ensure the fair sentencing of offenders found guilty of drug abuse and trafficking.

According to Member of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, and Head of the Drafting Sub-Committee for the new drug law, Keyoun Yotxayviboun, the new law specifies the involvement of a drug analysis centre to test the chemical composition of all seized drugs used in evidence, to ensure a more prudent penalty is placed on offenders.

Previously, judges presiding over drug cases determined appropriate sentencing by the weight of the drug cache alone, without testing the strength of the narcotic, or its chemical constituents. Such information is vital to effective execution of the law, and prosecution of offenders.

He explained that amphetamine, for example, when mixed with flour does not contain as much of the illegal stimulant, when compared to other pure form.

“it is not fair to measure by weight all the different kinds of illegal narcotics, because each type of drug comprises different chemicals and can contain differing amounts”, Mr Keyoun said.

According to the acting Vice Chairmen of the Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision (LCDC), Mr Kou Chansina, there is a need for authorities to establish two new drug analysis centres; one situated at LCDC, and another at the Ministry of Public Security. .

He said that because Laos currently has only one drug testing centre at the Ministry of Public Health, offenders may question the validity of evidence based upon any tests.

“in general, the testing of drugs and chemicals should e conducted many times and in different centres, to confirm any findings and ensure that results are believable,” Mr Kou said.

Penalties related to the sentencing of drug cases are still stipulated in the 146 Articles of Criminal Law which is the only piece of legislation that Laos has referenced in the past, and which will remain in use to tackle the ongoing issues of the drug trade, along with the new law.

The assembly, on 25 December 2007 held the final round of debates and approved three new laws concerning sports, trade unions and drug offences, after initial debate on the law began last week.

The approval of the new drug enforcement law was one of the seven new laws and an amended forestry law that the Assembly’s 4^th ordinary session of the 6^th

Legislature has focused on.

The new law will facilitate the Lao government in its efforts to achieve the ambitious target of becoming a signatory to a Memorandum of Understanding between Asean countries and China, with the objective of eliminating drug abuse in the region by 2015. (Vientiane Times)