COLOMBO PLAN

colombo plan
Drug Focal Points Meeting
and expert group consultation
CHIANG MAI, Thailand, 3 - 5 September 2014

FINAL REPORT

DRUG FOCAL POINTS MEETING AND EXPERT GROUP CONSULTATION OF THE MEMBER
COUNTRIES, THE COLOMBO PLAN, CHIANG MAI, THAILAND, 3-5 SEPTEMBER, 2014
1.

The 3rd Drug Focal Point meeting and the Expert Group Consultation of the Colombo
Plan Drug Advisory Programme (CPDAP) was held in Chiang Mai, Thailand from 3-5
September 2014. The meeting was organized by the Colombo Plan in collaboration
with the Office of the Narcotic Control Board (ONCB) of Thailand. 82 participants
from 20 countries, representing various Ministries involved in Drug Demand and
Supply Reduction took part in the meeting. The participants include CP 51 delegates
and 9 observers from Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, India,
Indonesia, Lao P.D.R., Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka,
Thailand, USA, Vietnam, Cambodia, Kenya, and Qatar, and 22 from Colombo Plan
and ONCB. (A full list of the participants are attached as Annex 1)

2.

The major objectives of the 3rd DFPM was to discuss priority needs of each member
state, to present updated activities of the CPDAP networks and to formulate a
strategic plan for member states to collaborate with the Colombo Plan on Drug
Demand and Supply Reduction related interventions.

3.

The first meeting of the Drug Focal Points of the Colombo Plan member countries
was held in Maldives in 2008 and the second was held in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2009.
The Colombo Plan implemented a series of initiatives since the last meeting including
standardization of the drug treatment and prevention programmes, youth
empowerment, training and education, publications, capacity building of
enforcement officers and community based approaches. One major focus has been
to identify and promote evidence based practices in both prevention and
management of the drug use disorders

Opening ceremony
4.

The meeting began with the welcome address by Ms. Rachanikorn Sarasiri, the
Deputy Secretary General of the NCB, the national host of the event. She stressed
the need for bilateral and international collaborations in the Drug Demand and
Supply Reduction activities for effectiveness. She highlighted the experience of the
ONCB in initiating several programmes in collaboration with the neighboring
countries and international organizations, as well as introducing alternative
development as one of effective measures on drug control. (A full text of the
welcome address is attached as Annex 2)

5.

Mr. Kinley Dorji, the Secretary General of the Colombo Plan also stressed the need
for more vibrant networking and collaborations and sharing of best practices by
the member countries in a spirit of self help and mutual help. Mr. Dorji called upon

the member countries to plan at least one collaborative programme with the
Colombo Plan as a commitment for enhancing networks. He emphasized the need
for organizing regional and sub-regional programmes to begin with. Presenting
various areas of networking, he insisted that each member country must come
forward to host at least one programme at the regional or sub regional level and
keep the networking active and alive in the coming years. (A full text of the Opening
remarks by the secretary General, the Colombo Plan is attached as in Annex 3).
6.

The opening ceremony was graced by the presentation of the unique cultural
performances by the students of Thep Bodin Withaya School in Chiang Mai which
were well appreciated by the delegates.

Election of the Chair person

7.

The meeting unanimously elected Ms. Rachanikorn Sarasiri, the Deputy Secretary
General of NCB, Thailand as the Chairperson of the meeting after she was nominated
by Mr. Antonius Riva Setiawan, the Director of DAP. The meeting also elected
Ms. Bina Prasad, the Joint Secretary to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of
India and Mr. William J. McGlynn, Consultant to INL, USA as Deputy Chairpersons
representing Asia and Pacific sub-regions accordingly.

Sub-regional Meetings in 2015

8.

On the invitation of the Secretary-General, India offered to host South Asia Sub-
regional meeting in Delhi and USA offered to host Pacific sub-regional meeting in
Hawaii in 2015. The Philippines would consider to host South East Asia sub-regional
meeting after collecting more information from the Colombo Plan.

9.

The meeting unanimously adopted the draft agenda after discussions, which is
attached as Annex 4.

Overview of the Colombo Plan Programmes

10.

The Secretary General of the Colombo Plan, Mr. Kinley Dorji presented a brief
overview of the Colombo Plan since its inception in 1951, including its background
and current structure. Stressing on its principles of networking and collaborations,
co-operation and co-ordinations, as well as self help and mutual help, Mr. Dorji
presented the 6 major programmes of the Colombo Plan as follows:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.

Long Term Scholarship Programmes (LTSP)

Programme for Public Administration and Environment (PPA)
Programme for Private Sector Development (PPSD)
Drug Advisory Programme (DAP)
The International Center for Certification and Education of Addiction
Professionals (ICCE), and
Women and Gender Affairs Programme (GAP).

vi.

(A full text of his presentation is attached as Annex 5)

Strengthening Collaboration and Human Capital

11.

Mr. Antonius Riva Setiawan, Director, CPDAP and his officers presented a brief
profile on various networks as part of strengthening collaboration and human capital
on Drug Demand and Supply Reduction areas as the new focus of the coming years.
He added that more vibrant networks will be established in connecting professionals
from the field of drug treatment and rehabilitation, prevention, youth, children,
publications, consultancy services, and supply reduction areas. DAP Officers, Shella
Marquez, Dichen Choden, Narendra Narotama, Mohammad Ayub, Thomas Scaria
and Diyan Markandaraja presented the above-mentioned networks.

(A full text of his presentation is attached as Annex 6)

Training and Professionalizing the Drug Demand Reduction Services

12.

Mr. Tay Bian How, the Director of the International Center for Certification and
Education of Addiction Professionals (ICCE) presented an overview of the training,
education and credentialing of addiction treatment and prevention professionals
provided by the Colombo Plan. The ICCE, the training arm of the CPDAP, currently
support 32 countries with its capacity building programmes, based on evidence
based practices. The ICCE involves in curriculum development, training,
credentialing, and research areas with its Universal Treatment Curricula (UTC),
Universal Prevention Curricula (UPC) and specialized curricula for substance use
disorder. He illustrated the needs for professionalizing and standardizing the
treatment and prevention efforts by credentialing professionals in both prevention
and management of drug abuse. The programme is funded by the INL, and the
examination is affiliated to NADAAC, USA.
(A full text of his presentation is attached as Annex 7)

Expert Panel Group Presentation

13.

International Collaborations on Drug Control: Thailand Experience

Ms. Rachanikorn Sarasiri, Deputy Secretary General of the NCB presented the
Thailand experience of international and bilateral collaborations on drug control
programmes, which laid its principles on a collaborative mechanism at national, sub-
regional, regional, multilateral and international level. She reflected an ASEAN vision
in the year 2015 as One vision, One identity, and One community and the joint
declaration of a drug free ASEAN 2015 as the approach in addressing the drug issue
in the region. The ONCB worked with national and international organizations and
countries such as United Nations, ASEAN and Colombo Plan, and implemented its
strategies with ASEAN member countries in the following areas:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.

Drug Prevention
Demand Reduction
Narcotics Law enforcement
Research, and
Alternative Development

She also recommended that the work of DAP of the Colombo Plan should
supplement the work or projects/activities that ASEAN Senior Officials on Drugs have
done since ASEAN member states are also members of the Colombo Plan.
(A full text of her presentation is attached as Annex 8)

Changing Patterns of Global Drug Use and Development of a Strategic Response
14.

Mr. Brian Morales from INL, US Department of State presented a detailed situational
analysis of the Changing Patterns of Global Drug Use and Development of a Strategic
Response with particular reference to Asia, Pacific and Latin American countries.
Speaking on a global scenario, he said that 243 million people (5.2% of world
population) used an illicit drug at least once in the previous year and 27 million
people (0.5% of world population) are problem drug users. He said that demand and
supply are closely linked and it has wide reaching impacts on social, economic,
health and crime scenario. He elaborated on some inappropriate practices in drug
treatment, such as limiting treatment to only detoxification, using faith based
isolated practices, punishing, locking up clients etc. He cited professionalizing and
standardizing of the treatment system globally as betterment to these treatment
services and called upon the delegates to promote credentialing the treatment and
prevention professionals in drug demand reduction.

(A full text of his presentation is attached as Annex 9)

Presentation of the International Society for Substance Use Prevention and Treatment
Professionals Website
15.

Mr. Antonius Riva Setiawan presented the salient features of the proposed website
for addiction professionals which will act as an information center for disseminating
latest approaches and evidence based practices in Drug Demand and Supply
Reduction sector. The website www.issup.net will be available to any professionals
who register with the website, where all the DAP publications will be available at
free of charge. The information can be used by the trainers, universities, students,
researchers, policy makers, or general public, which will be updated regularly. The
website has separate sections for prevention, youth, treatment and rehabilitation
together with an interactive social media.

Round-table Discussions
16.

Round-table discussions comprised 3 groups:

a) Head of the Delegation Forum (chaired by Ms. Rachanikorn Sarasiri, Thailand,
rapporteurs were Mr. Thomas Scaria, and Ms. Oranooch Sungkhawanna, Thailand)
b) Treatment and rehabilitation services and needs (moderated by Mr. Kailash Chand
Samria, India and facilitated by Mr. Muhammad Ayub from the Colombo Plan,
rapporteur was Mr. Narendra Narotama, the Colombo Plan), and
c) Drug use prevention initiatives (moderated by Ms. Shella Marquez from the
Colombo Plan, rapporteurs were Ms. Ghazala Meenai, India, Mr. Karma Tenzin,
Bhutan, and Mr. Nopporn Thanompong, Thailand).

17.

The representative from each round-table discussion presented the report of the
round-table discussions to the Plenary. The salient points were as follows:

Heads of the Delegation Forum

18.

Twenty-four delegates from 15 countries attended the round-table discussions of

heads of the delegation forum. Australia, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, India,
Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United States and
Vietnam shared their country presentations.
(A full list of the delegates in this round-table is attached as Annex 10 and the
country presentations are attached as Annex 11)

Highlights of the country presentations

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)

Intensity of the drug problem is on rise in most member countries

The number of drug seizures, arrests and conviction are also on a rising trend
Cross-border trafficking is on the rise
The misuse or abuse of pharmaceutical drugs is on the rise
Emergence of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS)
Changing modus operandi in trafficking
Increase in the incidence of substance use among children and adolescence
Illicit cultivation of narcotic crops continue to exist in some member countries
Increased production and availability of illicit opioids, precursor chemicals and
synthetic substances in the region.
j) Most countries have launched drug control strategies addressing their drug situation
k) Threats posed by transnational organized crimes groups.
Positive Developments
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)

Strengthening of the narcotic control bureaus in each country

Strengthening of bilateral collaborations between countries
International Cooperation is prioritized as a significant tool for drug control
Availability of training facilities in India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.
Favorable National policies in drug supply reduction in most countries.
Faith-based approach also contributes to drug treatment.
Prevention programmes play an important role to help young people keep away
from drugs as well as help them in other life-skills.
h) Some countries received support from ICCE to improve treatment standards
Challenges
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)

Geographical position of Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle in the region

Mass cultivation of poppy and production of opium products in the region
Cross border drug trafficking
Victimization of children in addiction and trafficking
Mass misuse of pharmaceutical drugs
Wide use of Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) in the region
Lack of proper monitoring system of ex-addicts
Lack of real-time intelligence sharing

i)
j)
k)
l)
m)
n)
o)
p)
q)
r)
s)
t)
u)
v)

Loopholes in enforcement measures

Controversy over legalization of marijuana
Lack of treatment facilities
Fast changing modus operandi of the drug traffickers
Exploitation of females as drug couriers
Lack of sufficient drug screening facilities in airports, sea ports etc
Lack of precursor control training
Lack of alternative development programme for illicit crop cultivation
Lack of capacity building for border control
Insufficient cross border cooperation in some areas
Shortage of drug testing kits
Rapid changes in patterns of drug trafficking
Inadequate resources
Incidence of the emergence of Ecstasy in schools as well as similar substances

Recommendations :
a) More collaborative efforts between member countries required. Countries need to
strengthen the bilateral relations as well as international cooperation at all level for
drug supply reduction.
b) Research on substance use among children and adolescence
c) Member countries to host regional and sub-regional meetings to address drug
control cooperation among member countries. Annual CPDAP focal points meeting is
recommended.
d) More training programmes on precursor control with expertise from member
countries
e) Increase coordination between and among ASEAN, SAARC and Pacific countries.
f) Consideration to initiate the cooperation with other mechanism such as BIMSTEC ,
African Union and Oceania countries
g) Colombo Plan to offer more trainings and technical cooperation in supply reduction
areas. The United States is requested to provide border control training and
technical cooperation for member countries due to its expertise in dealing with
border area across the country
h) Enhance precursor control measures (both diversion of legal substances and misuse
of precursors) in member states.
i) Drug profiling and forensic science should be promoted
j) Strengthening of the law enforcement mechanism through capacity building
k) Research on the misuse and abuse of pharmaceutical products need to be promoted
l) Involve communities and volunteers in supply reduction drive.
m) Raising awareness of the emergence of New Psychoactive Substances(NPS)
n) Sharing of knowledge on Alternative Development for illicit crop cultivation
o) More treatment facilities to be provided to countries with less resources
p) Improve treatment access and standards for people with substance use disorders to
undergo appropriate treatment
q) Enhance cooperation with all stakeholders including Government Organization(GOs),
Non Government Organizations(NGOs), Community Based Organizations(CBOs) and
People Organizations (POs)

r) Recommend CPDAP to be ASOD observers and hold back-to-back annual meeting

with ASEAN countries on drug matters through annual ASEAN Senior Officials
Meeting on Drug Matters (ASOD)
s) Promote sharing of best practices among member countries
Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation

19. On the onset of the group discussion, the facilitator conducted the round of
introduction which was followed by the selection of session moderator. Mr. Kailash
Chand Samria from India was selected as the session moderator.

20. The session moderator and facilitator provided brief objectives and methodology of
this round-table discussion. Furthermore general principles, role and responsibilities
of different participants were explained. The meeting was attended by 25 participants
including representatives from 15 member countries and two organizing agencies
(ONCB and Colombo Plan) (A full list of the delegates in this working group is attached
as Annex 12).

21. Each country was invited for brief presentation as per guideline and instructions
already provided. Thirteen countries made the presentations which are as following:

Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Sri Lanka
Kenya

Cambodia
India
Bhutan
Bangladesh

Indonesia
Malaysia
Lao PDR
Maldives

Each country presentation provided following information about the country:

Current scenario of drug abuse problem in the country
Existing services available for drug abuse treatment in the country
Gaps and limitation in the existing services
Priority needs and recommendations

Following are the major priority needs identified by each country. (However, detailed
country presentations are attached as Annex 13.)

Bangladesh:
Technical assistance on national survey on drug abuse problem
Techinical support on specialized treatment for children, women, clients with dual
disorders and clients in prisons
Capacity building by Training of Trainers (ToT)
Guidelines for minimum standards and credentialing system

Bhutan:
Assistance in the development of national standards, strategy and certification system
Capacity building by Training of Trainers
Long-term scholarship for addiction professionals
Special training on recovery support groups

Make treatment more accessible by strengthening existing infrastructure

Research/study on prevalence, burden of drug use and impact of the services

Cambodia:
National survey on drug use
Implementation research on effectiveness of treatment
Technical support for development of national treatment strategy, guidelines and
regulation system
Capacity building by Training of Trainers (ToT)

India:
Capacity building by Training of Trainers (ToT)
Coordination, communication and experience sharing
Make treatment more accessible by strengthening existing infrastructure
Study on substance use among children and adolescence

Indonesia:
Specialized treatment for children and clients in prison
Capacity building by ToT
Technical assistance in conducting monitoring and evaluation in compulsory programme

Kenya:
Increasing treatment capacity of the country
Capacity building by Training of Trainers (ToT)
Development of effective treatment programmes among the most vulnerable and at risk
groups

Lao PDR:
Increase treatment capacity
Capacity building by Training of Trainers (ToT)
Specialized training on community-based
Technical assistance in research
Assistance in development of national standard for treatment

Malaysia:
Specialized treatment for women and children
Specialized treatment for ATS clients
capacity building and accreditation for care providers
special training for support group
technical assistance on monitoring and research of drug prevalence and magnitude of
the problem

Maldives:
Capacity building for training of trainers
Technical assistance for system development in the rehabiliation
Effective coordination, communication and experience sharing mechanism

Philippines:
Accessibility to treatment services by all clients in the country
Specialized services for children dependent on substance use
Technical assistance in conducting a capacity building of the recovery group

Sri Lanka:
Capacity building by Training of Trainers (ToT) on relapse prevention
Specialized treatment for children
Assistance in conducting rapid assessment to develop evidence-based practices
Capacity building on Screening, Assessment and Diagnose
Improving networking and coordination

Thailand:
Specialized treatment for adolescent and children
Specialized training on outpatient treatment approach
Capacity building
Research on drug treatment evaluation effectiveness and investigation on special group

Vietnam:
Capacity building by Training of Trainers (ToT) and technical assistance in developing the
national curriculum on drug treatment and rehabilitation
Technical assistance in the development of national treatment standards and database
clients and staffs
Coordination and experience sharing

22. CPDAP Program Officer, Mr. Narendra Narotama, made a presentation on the DAP
network. His presentation highlighted objectives and activities of DAP Treatment
Network. Participants were provided hard copies of the Demand Reduction
Questionnaire which were expected to be filled by each country providing detailed
information about treatment services in the country. The questionnaire also
requested information on contact details for country focal points and drug focal point.
All these information required as part of developing country treatment system
mapping. Mr. Brian Morales, INL Officer, also explained the purpose and use of
information requested in the questionnaire. He explained in detailed about the
treatment center mapping matrix which is part of the questionnaire and which need
to be filed by each country.
(The questionnaire is attached as Annex 14.)

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Prioritizing Needs

23. The session facilitator, Muhammad Ayub, initiated the discussions on group priority
needs and recommendations which need to be presented as the outcome of this
round-table discussion at the plenary. Member countries highlighted and discussed
their specific and common priority needs and recommendation for the DAP Treatment
Network. The session facilitator recorded all the recommendation and prepared a
combined list of needs and recommendations of the group which was reconfirmed by
the group at the end.

24. Based on the needs indentified, the group identified following priority needs and
recommendations to be considered by the DAP Treatment Network:
Establishment and Strengthening of;
Specialized treatment services for women, adolescent and children
Aftercare, Follow-up and Recovery Support services
Low cost community-based approach in resource limited areas.
Capacity building of treatment workforce especially through ToTs to train national
trainers
Technical support for development and strengthening of:
Treatment standards and guidelines
Licensing and regulation system
Treatment services monitoring system
Technical support for:
Research on drug abuse problem, relapse and
Evaluation treatment program at national level
Effective communication and experience sharing treatment systems among
countries and International Organizations (IOs)

Drug Prevention

25. This round-table group comprised of DAP Focal Points and observing countries who
were in-charge of Drug Use Prevention division/agencies. The group was to cover
discussions under the DAP Prevention and Youth Networks. (A full list of the delegates
in this working group is attached as Annex 15)

26. Each country representative presented their existing programmes and activities in
different areas of prevention along with constraints faced in carrying out such
programmes in their countries. While most countries talked about prevention
activities, few countries also presented on drug treatment and rehabilitation. After the
country presentations, the group members identified priority needs as reflected in the
questionnaire provided by DAP. The group agreed to categorize the common
requirements under one heading due to the urgent need. Three common needs were
recognized and specific needs were identified under each countrys specific needs.

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27. The member states expressed their need for support and collaboration with Colombo
Plan Drug Advisory Programme and further the partnership through a more
sustainable approach by providing technical assistance in carrying out the identified
priority needs of each country.

Common Needs

a) Orientation and trainings on the existing International Standards on Drug Use
Prevention
b) Requirement of trained and credentialed professionals and experts on prevention
for substance use.
c) Financial support

Specific Countrys Identified Requirement:

Bangladesh

a) Technical assistance for sustainable programme of early childhood education
b) Media Campaign
c) Community based multi component initiatives
d) Prevention education based on personal and social skills and social influences

Bhutan

a) Parenting Skills
b) Prevention education based on personal and social skills and social influences
c) Workplace prevention

Brunei

a) Parenting Skills
b) Early Childhood education
c) Workplace prevention

Cambodia

a) Community based multi component initiatives
b) Workplace prevention
c) Mentoring
d) Adolescence prevention
e) Parenting skills

India

a) Early Childhood education
b) School policies & culture
c) Prevention education based on personal and social skills and social influences

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Indonesia

a) Prevention education based on personal and social skills and social influences
b) Workplace prevention
c) Community based multi-component initiatives

Kenya

a) School policies and culture
b) Prevention education based on personal and social skills and social influences
c) Parenting Skills
d) Workplace prevention
e) Community based multi component initiatives
f) Media campaign

Malaysia

a) Parenting Skills
b) Early childhood education
c) Prevention education based on personal and social skills and social influences
d) Workplace prevention
e) Community based multi component initiative
f) Media campaign

Maldives

a) Prevention education based on personal and social skills and social influences
b) Parenting Skills
c) Early childhood education
d) Community based multi component initiatives

Philippines
a) Community based multi component initiatives
b) Media campaign
c) Prevention education based on personal and social skills and social influences
d) Parenting Skills
e) Early childhood education
f) Technical assistance on the development of prenatal and infancy drug use
prevention initiative

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Sri Lanka
a) Prevention education based on personal and social skills and social influences
b) Parenting Skills
c) Workplace prevention
d) Early childhood education
e) Technical assistance on the development of prenatal and infancy drug use
prevention initiative

Thailand

a) Early childhood education
b) Media campaign
c) Parenting Skills
d) Community based multi component initiatives

The meeting unanimously adopted the reports of the Round-table discussions. It was also
decided that the recommendations of the three groups that are the heads of the delegation
forum, treatment and rehabilitation group and drug use prevention initiative group will
form the agenda of the sub-regional group meetings of the South Asia, Southeast Asia and
the Pacific to be held in 2015 in respective places.
Conclusion
28. The Secretary-General of the Colombo Plan conveyed his gratitude to the Office of the
Narcotics Control Board and all staff for the well arrangement of the meeting. The
most important thing is to acknowledge the next movement of CPDAP activities in
networking modality which includes treatment and rehabilitation network, prevention
network, youth network, child specialists network, supply reduction network,
publications network, training and education network, and an experts or advisory
group network in order to link all collaborative efforts together and be more effective.
He thanked India and the United States for their offers to host the sub-regional drug
focal point meeting in 2015. A sincere appreciation to INL, US Department of State
was also conveyed for its continued support to the Colombo Plan. (A full text of his
closing remarks is attached as Annex 16)
29. The Deputy Secretary General delivered her closing statement, and expressed her
deepest appreciation to all Colombo Plan member states and observer countries for
their excellent cooperation. She stressed that the meeting is the significant event as it
reflects the good start of the joint collaboration among our member countries. With
the spirit of mutual cooperation and partnership, we will be able to overcome the
drug peril. (A full text of her closing statement is attached as Annex 17)
30. The meeting concluded with the spirit of mutual collaboration and partnership of the
Colombo Plan member countries.