Cablegate: Colombo Plan: Drug Awareness Program

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS COLOMBO 002171

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SA, SA/INS, INL/C/CJ, IO/T

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SNAR CE
SUBJECT: Colombo Plan: Drug Awareness Program
celebrates 30 years with award for INL Director

Refs: (A) State 328549; (B) Colombo 1990

1. On December 21, DCM and poloff attended a dinner
commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Colombo Plan's
Drug Awareness Program (DAP). Since its inception in
1973, the DAP has been a significant force throughout
the Asia/Pacific region in demand reduction and drug
awareness efforts, including in the areas of prevention,
rehabilitation, and law enforcement. The U.S., as a
member of the Colombo Plan, is a major financial
contributor to the DAP, providing USD 920,000 in FY2003
alone.

2. During the anniversary dinner, Kittipan
Kanjanapipatkul, Colombo Plan Secretary-General, and Tay
Bian How, DAP director, took the opportunity to
recognize the achievements of several individuals and
groups for their drug awareness efforts. Thomas Browne,
Director of the Criminal Justice Program in the State
Department's INL Crime Office (INL/C/CJ), was one of six
awardees. Browne received a "Special Award of
Recognition" for his "distinguished service in efforts
to combat the drug problem in the Asia/Pacific Region."
Poloff accepted the award on Browne's behalf. The
award, certificate, and a copy of the DAP's 30th
anniversary commemorative publication have been sent via
pouch to INL.

3. The other five award recipients were:

-- Ven. Kuppiyawatte Bodananda Thero, director of
Mithuru-Mithuro, a Sri Lankan drug rehabilitation
center.

-- Lilla Dulay, Director of Preventive Education for the
Philippines' Dangerous Drugs Board.

-- The Royal Thai Foundation for its drug crop
eradication programs.

-- T.T. Ranganathan Clinical Research Foundation, a
residential drug treatment center in Chennai, India.

-- Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association.

4. Minimize considered.

LUNSTEAD

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