Alcoholism Situation in Lao PDR Reported by: Bouavanh SOUTHIVONG 1 – 5 November 2004

I. Drug Abuse situation in Lao PDR Drug problem and drug addiction throughout the world, and in our country as well, have caused several drawbacks by people’ life-style in the society. In a developing country like Laos, main constraints to the socio-economic development are encountered, especially for ethnic groups living scattered in remote areas who are opium addicts.

I. Drug Abuse situation in Lao PDR (cont’d) Moreover, the quick rise of Amphetamine-type- stimulant (ATS) throughout the country in these past recent years, either in rural or urban communities constitutes a big danger to all strata of Lao society, especially to school children, students and youth who will be responsible for the future of the nation, and to the labor force which is the backbone of the country. ATS, opium, cannabis and other substance are very strict for consumption but not alcohol.

II. Alcoholism situation in Lao PDR Alcohol is one of the most substance of abuse but Lao legislation regarding alcohol prohibition is not available. Easy accessibility to alcohol  People can buy it easily at shops, markets etc... It is observed that Lao beer is very popular among youth, especially students and employees. Traditional Lao Alcohol (Lao Lao) is very strong with high concentration degree. It is produced locally, not expensive and considered as one of the most popular alcoholic type among workers having low income. Alcohol is consumed by villagers during any ceremony with friends and relatives (party, death, giving birth...). Alcohol consumption is highly related to road accident due to lack of road safety respect (while drunk, people drive cars very fast and provoke road accident...)

Table 1: Causes of Road Accident related to alcohol consumption No Driving License = 53 cases High Speed = 20 High Beam = 10 Pass by = 16 Don’t keep Distance = 25 Outside their rights = 41 Violate traffic light = 01 Incorrect crossing road = 02 Alcohol drinking = 54 Source: Road Accident Reduction project, Vientiane Municipality, (24/12/ /01/04)

Table 2:Inpatients and Ambulatory patients at Mental Health Unit, Year Schizophrenia Bipolar disorder Infectious psychosis Postpartum psychosis 7035 Depression Neurosis

Table 2:Inpatients and Ambulatory patients at Mental Health Unit, 2000 – 2003 (cont’d) Year Dementia Substance abuse Mental retardation3248 Alcoholism Epilepsy Organic cerebral lesion Others Total

General Statistics of Drug and Alcohol Users There were some studies on substance addiction based mainly on opium and ATS. Actually there are 28,000 opium addicts in the northern area of the country, mostly among elderly people. While ATS abusers are school population, labor force... Survey on drug abuse among youth, in Vientiane capital, in 2000 showed that lifetime prevalence of any drug use was 5.3%. The most famous drug of choice among youth was ATS (Ya-Baa) with a ratio of 4.8%. However, the specific survey on alcohol has not yet been carried out. But there is a record of patients suffering from alcohol abuse, seeking treatment, at the Mental Health Unit that is shown in Table 3 and 4.

Table 3: The number of patients suffering from alcohol abuse, at the Mental Health Unit, Mahosot Hospital, YearMaleFemaleTotal Total82385

Table 4: Classification of Drug Users and Alcohol Users by Age, Mental health Unit, Mahosot Hospital, 2003 Age groupDrug UsersPercentage ( % ) Alcohol UsersPercentage ( % ) > Total

Conclusion Based on data in the Mental Health Unit There is a significant difference on age: –Drug users are young people aged from –While alcohol users are adult, aged above 25. Male is more prone to drug or alcohol use than Female.