UNODC LAO PDR COUNTRY OFFICE

Drug control has long been an issue in the Lao PDR. In 1998, the country ranked as the world third largest illicit opium producer (UNODC Opium Survey, 1998). At the time, the Lao PDR also had one of highest opium addiction rates in the world. However, and due to the Government's strong commitment to address the issue, from 1998 to 2005, opium cultivation was effectively reduced by 94 percent and opium addiction by 80 percent. In 2006, the Lao PDR declared its success in significantly reducing opium poppy cultivation.

Since the mid-90's however, transnational trafficking of Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS), Heroin and other illicit drugs significantly increased, and resulted in Laos becoming a transit point for drugs trafficked in the region. At the same time, the spillover effect of transnational drug trafficking resulted in the rise of cases of drug abuse, domestic crime, violence and other related problems.

Stories from the Lao PDR

Over 55,000 people at risk of drug addiction

Vientiane, 12 Feb 2013 - Some 55,000 people in Laos are at risk of becoming drug addicts as the country is increasingly used as a drug transit route and opium poppy cultivation is on the rise.  Read more...

Lao PDR is now on to further strengthen fight against corruption

Vientiane, 21 December 2012 - By commemorating the International Anti-Corruption Day, the Government of the Lao PDR expresses its firm determination to reinforce its anti-corruption efforts. Read more...

Anti-corruption experts visited Laos for UNCAC implementation review

Vientiane, 30 October 2012 - Anti-corruption experts from Luxembourg, Mongolia and UNODC Headquarters met officials fighting corruption and representatives of civil society to review the Lao PDR's implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). Read more...

Lao PDR 'extremely vulnerable' to trafficking by transnational organized crime groups, says UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov

Vientiane, 5 October 2012 -  Lao PDR's position at the hub of the Greater Mekong Sub-region and its shared borders with Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam make it "extremely vulnerable" to the trafficking of people, illicit drugs and commodities by transnational organized crime groups, warned Mr. Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of the Vienna-based UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Read more...

Applying lessons learnt from training to young victims of human trafficking in the Lao PDR

Vientiane, 30 October 2012 - La (not her real name) is 14 years old from Ban Pakpet, Sayaboury province. She was deceived by her 18 year old friend from the same village to go to Thailand to work as a labourer in a corn field. Her friend told her that she would receive Thai Baht 3,000 per month. Read more...

Laos to clamp down on sexual exploitation of children

Vientiane, 30 October 2012 -The Ministry of Justice is strengthening the legal framework concerning offences relating to the sexual exploitation of children in tourism. Read more...

UNODC wins the UN Soccer Challenge Cup for the second successive year

Vientiane, 29 October 2012 -The UNODC team won the UN Soccer Challenge Cup for the second successive year. The final match was played between the WHO and UNODC team at the US Embassy football field on the 27 October 2012. Read more...

Lao PDR coordinates responses to illicit drugs and transnational organized crime

Vientiane, 25 October 2012 -The 7 ^th High Level meeting of the Illicit Drug Sector Working Group met in Vientiane on the 18 October to share information and discuss coordination efforts to address illicit drugs and the threat of transnational organized crime to the Lao PDR. Read more...

Piloting Community Base Drug Counseling Services in Vientiane

Vientiane, 13 September 2012 -Drug abuse remains a serious problem for society in the Lao PDR. Drug abuse contributes to misery, violence, and crime. Read more...

Using innovative ways to increase Food Security and Promote Licit Crop Production as well as develop Small Farmer Enterprises in the Lao PDR

Vientiane, 3 September 2012 - Innovative practices are being introduced to increase food security in Oudomxay by this UNODC project. These practices also address the lack of arable land by using intensive production methods. Read more...

UNODC and INL Support to Strengthen Prosecutors' Capacity to Fight Organized Crime for Sustainable Development

Vientiane, 3rd September 2012 -It was recently reported that Lao PDR had seen an over 70% increase in reported human trafficking cases from 2010 to 2011.  A total of 37 new cases related to human trafficking were brought before the court during 2011.  Among the 195 trafficking victims returned from Thailand in 2011, 68% (125 females, 8 males) were under the age of 18, and furthermore, 31% (55 females and 6 males) were under the age of 15. Read more...

27/06/2012 - Nacrotics go up in smoke on Day against drugs

25/06/2012 - Asean targets drug free status by 2015

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