At its 15th Meeting held in Kuala Lumpur on 27-30 July 1992, ASOD reviewed its projects, cooperation programmes with Dialogue Partners and also noted the developments in the drug abuse situation in Member Countries. Working groups were also convened in prevention education, treatment and rehabilitation, law enforcement and research. Several major projects which were extensively discussed in the workshops included the three proposals on prevention, rehabilitation and law enforcement which have been sent to the EC for consideration.

Cooperation with ASEAN's Dialogue Partners on drug matters has further intensified during the review period. Most notably, ASEAN-EC cooperation on narcotics matters was reaffirmed at the 10th ASEAN-EC Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) held in Manila, Philippines on 29-30 October 1992, with both sides calling, in particular, for more efficient measures to counter the illicit traffic of narcotics and psychotropic substances, the laundering of financial proceeds from illicit trafficking and the diversion of trade in precursor chemicals. In January 1993, an EC technical assistance mission comprising two experts was sent to ASEAN to review and assess the needs of each Member Country in drug rehabilitation and drug abuse prevention. A final report is being prepared by the EC and will be made available to ASEAN Member Countries.

Another EC-sponsored project concerns control over the trade in precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of illicit drugs. The project was endorsed at the ASEAN- EC SOM on Drugs held in Bangkok in May 1992 and the 10th ASEAN-EC JCC Meeting held in Brussels in September 1992. Among the activities proposed was a seminar to introduce ASEAN participants to the EC's legal mandates in precursor control, its administrative machinery, intra-regional technical and administrative cooperation strategies, the latest investigative technologies being used in the EC, the scope of chemicals covered and the role of chemical industries in precursor control. The seminar was held in April 1993 and included an intensive series of lectures and field trips to Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands.

Two other projects under ASEAN-EC dialogue have been completed: i) the ASEAN Research and Training Programme for the Detection of Drugs Abuse in Body Fluid and ii) Development and Validation of Evaluation Instruments for Preventive Drug Education.

Furthermore, there are three pending projects being considered for funding by the EC, namely, the ASEAN Three-Year Plan of Action on Preventive Drug Education, the ASEAN Training Course for Drug Rehabilitation Professionals, and the ASEAN Narcotics Law Enforcement Personnel Development Project.

The Three-Year Plan of Action on Preventive Drug Education consists of several projects addressing prevention information, the family context of drug use, workplace prevention of drug problems, the mobilization of parents and youth and an evaluation of drug education programs. The project is coordinated by the Philippines.

The Counselling Course for Drug Rehabilitation Professionals is proposed by Malaysia and will sponsor a series of training seminars on group and aftercare counselling for drug counsellors from the region. A course for research and evaluation and a "think-tank" session for senior drug treatment officials is also planned.

The ASEAN Narcotics Law Enforcement Personnel Development Project is intended to strengthen the interaction capabilities of the region's narcotics enforcement officers. Proposed by Thailand, where the ASEAN Narcotics Law Enforcement Training Centre is located, the project is expected to sponsor several training workshops addressing issues such as the management of intelligence gathering, money laundering, forfeiture of assets and undercover investigation.

On the matter of the proposed ASEAN-US conference on drugs, which was originally broached by the US, ASEAN has not been able to get any funding commitment from the US. At the 11th ASEAN-US Dialogue held in Bandar Seri Begawan on 15-16 May 1993, this matter was taken up again with the US. However, the US suggested that ASEAN refer the matter to the U.S. International Narcotics Matters Bureau.

In line with the Fourth Summit Declaration that "ASEAN shall intensify its cooperation in overcoming the serious problem of drug abuse and illicit trafficking at the national, regional and international levels", ASOD invited a representative from INTERPOL to its 15th Meeting. ASOD also sought and obtained approval from the First Meeting of the 26th ASEAN Standing Committee held on 7-9 October 1992 to invite observers from Laos, Vietnam and Papua New Guinea to the 16th ASOD Meeting scheduled for October 1993.

To strengthen collaboration between government and non-government organizations in the fight against drugs, the 15th ASOD Meeting considered an application by the ASEAN NGOs for the Prevention of Drug and Substance Abuse for a formal working relationship with ASEAN. The application was subsequently approved by the 26th ASEAN Standing Committee at its Third Meeting on 27-28 May 1993.