Laos held a meeting to discuss the control and management of drugs from February 11-13.

According to the Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision, around 55,000 people living in Laos are vulnerable to drug addiction.

Eighty percent of those people are dependent on amphetamines, the remaining 20 percent use opium, heroin, marijuana and other stimulants.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Asang Laoly called for effective solutions to reduce and end the growing and production of narcotics in the country.

The Lao society needs to work together to reduce the number of amphetamine addicts, especially within the Lao youth, added Laoly.

Although Laos stated it was a drug-free country in 2006, the growing of opium poppies in the north of the country is on the rise.

2013 is the final year of Laos’ drug control 2009–2013 master plan.-VNA