TNAG-0414-FCO40-460-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 183

41

SOUTH VIETNAM

BACKGROUND

American concern over narcotics traffic in Southeast Asia did not arise until early 1971 when reports of serious heroin addiction among GI's stationed in South Vietnam began to surface. In May 1971 a Foreign Affairs Committee study mission composed of Representatives Morgan F. Murphy and Robert H. Steele reported that 10 to 15 percent of all U.S. troops then stationed in South Vietnam were addicted to heroin in one form or another, and, in some units, the addiction rate was estimated as high as 25 percent. Those GI's on heroin smoked it, sniffed, or "snorted" it, and an estimated 5 to 10 percent of users injected it.

There are several underlying factors which contributed to this epidemic use of heroin. Among them were the ready availability of heroin, boredom, and the fact that youthful GI's merely reflected the burgeoning drug culture in American society as a whole. While some of those on heroin in South Vietnam were found to have been users. in the States, most encountered the drug for the first time in South Vietnam.

Prior to the extensive use of heroin by U.S. troops, marijuana was the popular drug among GI's. However, in a program instituted by the United States Military Assistance Command-Vietnam (MACV) in November 1966, an all-out effort to eradicate marijuana smoking was initiated. U.S. and Vietnam officials set about to defoliate and destroy the abundant marijuana fields located throughout the coun- try. Those convicted of using marijuana were strictly disciplined.

The rise in the incidence of heroin abuse coincides with the U.S. military's crackdown on marijuana. Because heroin can be consumed more discreetly than marijuana its use became more widespread as the restrictions on "pot" increased. In addition, GI's fell under the dangerous illusion that heroin consumed by means other than injection is not addictive. Unfortunately, for the naive users, nothing could be further from the truth. Thus, in Vietnam, it is possible that the ab- sence of marijuana, not its use, led to a GI addiction rate of epidemic proportions.

UNITED STATES-VIETNAMESE ACTIONS AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING AND

ABUSE IN VIETNAM, 1971-72

Although MACV launched its first Drug Abuse Suppression Pro- gram in December 1970, and the United States conveyed its concern to President Thieu in January 1971, it was not until the May 1971 that measurable action was taken either to combat trafficking or to detect and treat heroin addicts.

On May 3, 1971, the U.S. Ambassador and MACV Commander presented a memorandum to President Thieu setting forth recom- mendations for alleviating the narcotics situation. They stressed