TNAG-0414-FCO40-460-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 216

APPENDIX D

TEXT OF SEPTEMBER 28, 1971 UNITED STATES-THAI MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

The Royal Thai Government and the Government of the United States, being parties to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, and other inter- national agreements on the control of illicit narcotics and dangerous drugs whether vegetal or chemical derivative, recognizing that drug addiction and drug abuse present threat to their respective societies and to the peoples of other nations, accepting the cessation of opium production and the ending of the cultivation of the poppy as international goals, and having issued on August 25, 1971, a joint statement expressing their deep concern over the growth in drug abuse and drug addiction in many parts of the world, reaffirm their desire and intention to cooperation with each other in actions to be taken against the supply of illicit narcotics and dangerous drugs for the purposes of abuse, and against international traffic which serves as a channel connecting produc- tion with use, and to discourage the demand for such narcotics and drugs for such purposes, and agree as follows:

(1) Disruption and elimination of narcotics trafficking, processing and stor- age both within the two countries and across their borders through stringent law enforcement efforts and other means, is the most promising means of achieving significant early reduction of narcotics supplies and, as a matter of first priority, maximum effort will be made to cooperate in this respect. The principal problem facing Thailand is recognized by the two parties to be the illegal transit through Thai territory of certain types of dangerous drugs and narcotics. The Royal Thai Government agrees to make additional police and other officials and other resources and facilities available for its programs to interdict the narcotics traffic. The United States Government, in its part, and wherever it has jurisdiction and authority, agrees to reinforce surveillance and control of drug traffic and drug use. It will also lend its unstinted cooperation in such fields as training, equipment, advisory assistance and other mutually agreed support to make pro- grams of the Royal Thai Government more effective.

(2) The two governments agree to exert their efforts to work with the countries concerned to achieve elimination of illicit agricultural production of poppies. As regards Thailand where effective measures have for many years been taken by the Royal Thai Government to prevent certain hill tribe ele- ments from indulging in such production, further efforts are needed to support the Royal Thai Government's endeavors to bring about the transformation of regions where some poppies are still grown illegally into viable economies based on other types of agriculture and other sources of livelihood. It is fur- ther agreed that programs already launched by the Royal Thai Government will be enlarged and that additional programs will be designed so that the desired economic and social change may be realized and that work on such programs will proceed expeditiously. The two governments see the need for each to contribute, as available, area and social expertise, technical and agri- cultural knowledge, personnel and required equipment. Attainment of this goal will involve, inter alia, more effective research into and application of existing knowledge concerning possible crop substitution, other alternative economic production activities and marketing aspects.

(3) Medical and social rehabilitation of narcotics and drug users and ad- dicts must be a key component of an integrated attack on the narcotic problem. In this connection the two governments agree that the efforts will be made to in- crease and improve the effectiveness and availability of rehabilitation services. The United States Government will make available, in support of Thai efforts. medical and related social counseling facilities, personnel and equipment and other resources, as needed and available, to implement programs designed to al- leviate the dependence on narcotics and drugs of users and addicts an to as- sist their re-entry into society.

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