NCJ Number
204635
Date Published
June 2003
Length
42 pages
Annotation
This report presents the results of the 2003 opium cultivation and production survey conducted in Northern Laos and used for planning and monitoring the impact of interventions under the Laotian Government opium elimination program.
Abstract
One of the objectives of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is to increase governments’ capacity to monitor illicit crops and to assist the international community in monitoring the extent and evolution of illicit crops in the context of the elimination strategy adopted by the Member States at the General Assembly Special Session on Drugs in June 1998. In 1999, the Government of Laos (GOL) and UNODC developed a program strategy entitled the “Balanced Approach to Opium Elimination in the Lao PDR.” This report presents information from the 2003 opium survey which provides the Government of Laos with information used for planning and monitoring the impact of interventions under the program strategy specific to Northern Laos. Findings from the survey are provided in six areas: opium poppy cultivation, yield and production, opium prices and cash income, addiction, field damage, and voluntary eradication. Since 1998, opium poppy cultivation has shown a steady decline in the country of Laos. As shown in this latest UNODC supported opium survey, the trend continued in 2003. Opium poppy cultivation is down to 12,000 hectares, from 14,100 in 2002 and concentrated in six provinces targeted by the Opium Elimination Program launched by the Laotian Government. Over a 1-year period, the decline amounts to 15 percent, however since 1998, the decline amounts to 55 percent. Even though the number is declining, an estimated 40,000 households will continue to derive the largest share of their income from the 120 metric tons of opium harvested in 2003. Tables, figures, maps, and annexes