Lao People's Democratic Republic

The Lao People's Democratic Republic Government's commitment to eradication efforts helped the country to become virtually opium-free. This is an enormous success considering that as recent as 1998 Lao PDR was the third largest illicit opium producer in the world. UNODC works closely with the Lao PDR Government to ensure the sustainability and continuation of alternative development projects in order to promote food security, manage the fragile environment and provide livelihood opportunities to small farmers to prevent the resurgence of opium poppy cultivation. Addiction treatment and rehabilitation Community-based treatment approaches proved to be successful in reducing local demand for opium and contributing to the overall achievement of opium eradication in the country. UNODC and the Government collaborate in support of treatment and rehabilitation programmes in all ten northern provinces. In the last years, over 8,000 opium abusers have received treatment and the programme has a relatively low relapse rate. Gender equality Women greatly benefited from opium elimination as they used to perform most of the labour- intensive duties associated with opium poppy cultivation. Today, these women are involved in licit income generating activities such as rice and maize production and rearing livestock. In addition, communities report an increase in the enrolment of girls in schools and a decrease in domestic abuse cases. Post-opium period UNODC's socio-economic impact survey showed that half of the former opium-producing communities need urgent assistance in the post-opium period. UNODC-supported 'National Programme Strategy for the Post Opium Scenario' will target 1,100 priority villages. UNODC is assisting with the mapping of these villages in order to identify development partners and prioritize development interventions.