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.

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.

Young girl from the Akha village of Huayla, Phongsaly Province.

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