Southeast Asia Opium Survey 2013: Lao PDR, Myanmar

This Southeast Asia Opium Survey shows that despite eradication efforts, opium poppy cultivation in the region continues to increase.

Poppy cultivation in Myanmar rose 13% from the previous year to 57,800 hectares, more than doubling since 2006. In Lao cultivation levelled off but remains a concern. Surveys of farmers in poppy-growing villages, indicate that the money made from poppy cultivation remains an essential part of family income. Villagers threatened with food insecurity and poverty need sustainable alternatives, or they will continue out of desperation to turn to growing this cash crop.

In Myanmar and Lao PDR, the use of opium, heroin and synthetic drugs – another growing threat in the region –, remains high. Moreover, the number of registered heroin and synthetic drug users in China has been going up since 2007.

This increase in drug production and use represents a clear threat to human security and health. Balanced plans aimed at slowing and stopping production and trafficking, while preventing drug use and providing evidence-based treatment and care for drug-dependent users, in full compliance with human rights standards, must be made a priority by states and international partners.