Illicit drugs:
world's third-largest illicit opium producer (estimated cultivation in 2002 - 23,200 hectares, a 5% increase over 2001; estimated potential production in 2002 - 180 metric tons, a 10% decrease from 2001); potential heroin producer; transshipment point for heroin and methamphetamine produced in Burma; illicit producer of cannabis; growing methamphetamine abuse problem

NOTE: The information regarding Laos on this page is re-published from the 2004 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Laos Transnational Issues 2004 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Laos Transnational Issues 2004 should be addressed to the CIA.