PERAN ASEAN SENIOR OFFICIALS ON DRUG MATTERS (ASOD) DALAM MENANGGULANGI PERDAGANGAN OPIUM 2006-2013

Abstract

The Golden Triangle is a border area of three Southeast Asia countries; i.e
Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand. The Golden Triangle is the largest opium
producer in the region. It causes Southeast Asia become vulnerable of drugs
trafficking. Southeast Asian countries are aware of the danger of drugs
trafficking, which later brought out the issue to ASEAN. In dealing with this
problem, ASEAN established ASEAN Senior Official on Drugs Matters (ASOD),
a special committee board in drugs trafficking. This research aimed to
describe ASOD roles in coping drugs trafficking in Golden Triangle from 2006
to 2013. This research employed neoliberal institutionalist theory emphasizing
on the concept of cooperation among states. The method is qualitative using
descriptive analysis through library research. The results of this research
indicate that ASOD playes role as a facilitator of interstate cooperation in
terms of drugs trafficking among ASEAN members. This role is compatible
with the basic assumption of neoliberal institutionalist theory arguing that
institution can bridge the gap between states preferences on particular issues.
Yet, this research found that the role of ASOD in combating drugs trafficking is
not succeed due to its interent lack of legitimacy to make legal binding
decisions.