United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Lao PDR

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.

Laos_regional

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.
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Stories from the Lao PDR

Celebrities amplify message on dangers of drugs

Vientiane, 16 Jan 2012 - They plan to use the materials at a series of events at schools and other venues to help put an early stop to the problems that come with drug use and addiction. UNODC staff and the Lao Bang Fai team supervised the art competition and handed out flyers to students. Read more...

The Mini Dublin Group travels along a major illicit drug trafficking route from Laos to Vietnam to gain firsthand impressions of the drug situation

Vientiane, 09 Jan 2012 - The Mini Dublin Group travelled along one of the main drug transit trafficking routes between the Lao PDR and Vietnam to see firsthand the devastation caused by drugs on the communities on both sides of the border in early December 2011. Read more...

Injecting drug use a painful issue

Vientiane, 17 December 2011 - Lao and overseas officials have discussed measures to reduce the risk of HIV virus transmission associated with injecting drug use (IDU). Speaking at the opening ceremony of the HIV/AIDS Asia Regional Programme Stakeholder Meeting yesterday, Deputy Minister of Health Dr Bounkouang Phichit said that a rapid assessment has been carried out which showed that injecting drug use was an emerging issue in Laos . Read more...

UNODC's Youth Ambassadors awarded for public stance against drugs

Vientiane, 8 December 2011 - Youth Ambassders yesterday received drug presentation award at a ceremony held at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) after conducting drug awareness and prevention campaigns in Laos . Read more...

UNODC launches campaign against drug use

Vientiane, 21 November 2011 - The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime held a concert and fun activities over the weekend to launch a campaign on the dangers of drug abuse. Read more...

Poor farmers need alternatives to opium

Vientiane, 02 November 2011 - Opium production was rising in Laos, formerly the third-largest producer in the world after Afghanistan and Myanmar, until the government slashed poppy plots from 26,800ha to 1,500ha between 1998 and 2006. Read more...

Street Jam 5 a hit with youngsters

Vientiane, 01 November 2011 - Crowds of young people fascinated by hip-hop culture and extreme sports flocked to the Street Jam 5 event held at Chao Anouvong Park in Vientiane on Saturday. Read more...

The UNODC team wins the UN Day Challenge Cup

Vientiane, 22 October, 2011-The UNODC team won the UN day football challenge cup on the 22 October 2011 by beating a joint UNDP and UN team 2 to 1 goal. The UNODC team had previously won two matches against WHO and UNICEF.