UNODC in the Lao PDR
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The Lao PDR is one of the poorest and least developed countries in South East Asia. In 1998 it ranked as the third largest illicit opium producer, after Afghanistan and Myanmar and had one of the highest opium addiction rates in the world. From 1998 to 2005, opium cultivation was reduced by 93% and opium addiction by 68%. However, much more needs to be done to make this most recent victory against drugs a lasting one.
UNODC has provided support and technical assistance to alternative development and jointly formulated poverty eradication strategies for former opium poppy farmers. But the situation remains very fragile and there is concern that 50% of ex-opium farmers could return to opium poppy cultivation for lack of sustainable alternative livelihoods. More than three quarters of the population live on less than US$2 per day. Opium cultivation has always been closely linked with addiction and poverty.
UNODC supports nationwide prevention and treatment programs for drug abusers. Since the mid 1990s, amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS) abuse has emerged as the most serious and fastest-growing drug threat to the country. ATS seizures have increased by 58% in 2005. Laos is a key transit and storage country for ATS and heroin coming across its western borders. HIV/AIDS is an emerging problem in Laos and UNODC is working towards raising awareness and prevention measures especially for injecting drug users (IDU's) and prisoners.
UNODC assists the government's accession to the UN drug, crime and terrorism conventions and protocols and increase technical capacity in Laos to meet international standards and to strengthen law enforcement competence to fight illicit drugs, transnational crime, corruption and terrorism.
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News & Events
Expanding Joint United Nation Assistance From UNODC and UNIDO to Former Opium Poppy Cultivating Farmers in Lao PDR
At the side event to the 51
st Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) meeting held in Vienna from the 10 to 14 March, Minister Soubanh Srithirath, Minister to the President's Office and Chair of the Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervisioin, inforned that |
more...Regional Workshop on Criminal Justice Response to Trafficking in Persons
Theme: "Ending Impunity and Securing Justice."
2-4 October 2007, UN Conference Centre, Bangkok, Thailand Visit the UN.GIFT |
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Justice officials debate response to human trafficking
Crime and human trafficking officials met in Vientiane on Tuesday to learn about measures to combat human trafficking, at a four-day workshop.(Vientiane Times, 6.03.2007) |
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Legal system subject of human trafficking meeting
The Justice Ministry and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) hosted a workshop yesterday on human trafficking, to raise awareness of the issue within the legal profession in Vientiane. (Vientiane Times, 14.03.2007) |
more...Half of former poppy cultivating villages need urgent alternative development assistance
The opium survey of 2005 indicates that about 50 percent of the former opium poppy cultivating villages still need urgent alternative development assistance. Information released in the round table meeting on harmonisation of drug control assistance in Laos showed that the country is close to reach eliminating opium with opium poppy areas reduced by 93 percent and opium addiction by 84 percent. (KPL, 26.10.2006) |
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Publications
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Project R76
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The project "Strengthening of the Legal and Law Enforcement Institutions to Prevent and Combat Human Trafficking in the Lao PDR" raises awareness and understanding about human trafficking in the Lao PDR |
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28
th February -1
st March 2008
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Mini-Dublin Group's visit to Oudomxay-Luangnamtha provinces Lao PDR |
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June 26, 2007
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International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, commemorated every year on 26 June.
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Laos
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Modern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang (literally, "a million elephants"), established in the 14th century under King Fa Ngum. |
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Video Clips
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Campaign 2007
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The UNODC campaign was launched on 9 December 2005, the International Day Against Corruption. |
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Drug Control is the theme of the UNODC International multi-year campaign for 26 June, the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. In 2007, the campaign focuses on the abuse of illicit drugs. |
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Achievements
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Opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by over 93% between 1998 and 2005.
Opium addiction was brought down by over 68% during the same period of time. |
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Case Study
Opium poppy was cultivated mainly by ethnic minorities who live in some of the most remote mountains, poorest regions of difficult access in the country. |
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more photos from 26 June 2007...
