Introduction

Drug issue in Laos poses generally a major threat to the community and drug control has also long been an issue in Laos. In 1998, Laos ranked as the world’s third largest illicit opium producer, especially in the Northern provinces. At the time, it also had one of the highest opium addiction rates in the world. Because Lao government pays special attention to this matter, from 1998 to 2005, opium cultivation area was reduced by 94% to 1500 ha from 27,000 ha and opium addiction by 80% from 63,000 persons to 12,000 persons. In 2006, Laos was official declared free from opium cultivation thank to the firm political will of the Lao government in cooperation with the international organizations.

However, six years after this historical declaration, opium production in Laos has been increased consecutively year after year as can be seen the opium production increased in 173% from 1,500 ha to 4,100 ha in 2011. At the same time, the trafficking of ATS, pseudoephedrine, heroin and marijuana gained new impetus. This has been demonstrated by the unprecedented seizure of 24.5 million tablets of ATS in 2010. The recent armed clashes between drug syndicates and law enforcement forces along the Mekong River where the borders of Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and China meet threaten regional security. The increasing numbers of drug abusers namely ATS abusers seeking treatment puts a big burden beyond the existing resources of treatment services in the country.

Illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse continue to pose a serious threat to Lao society and traditions. It contributes to poverty and suffering and endangers the social and economic development of the country and is a source of crime, corruption and violence that threatens security and stability. 

Since the mid 1990s, there has been an increase in transnational trafficking of drugs such as Amphetamine-Type Stimulant (ATS), heroin and other illicit drugs. Transnational traffickers have made Laos a transit point for trafficking of illicit drugs from one country to a third country. ATS seizure increased to 2,335,330 tables in 2009 from 1,227,205 tables in 2008.