The rank in use of specific drugs has remained stable over the past five years with methamphetamine pills reported as the leading drug of use, followed by opium, cannabis and heroin. Cannabis overtook heroin as the third drug of use in 2008, but both drugs showed a declining trend. Cocaine was reported as a ranking drug of concern for the first time in 2008 and the trend in use is reported to be on the increase.

Lao PDR reported the first stabilization of methamphetamine pill use in 2008 which had been preceded by five years of consecutive increases. At the same time, Lao PDR also reported methamphetamine being injected for the first time in 2008 (Table 71). This is a particular cause for concern given the dominance of methamphetamine use in the country. Opium also was reported as being injected for the first time in 2008. No reliable estimates are available concerning the prevalence of injecting drug use or HIV among the drug-using population in Lao PDR (Lancet, 2008).

Special population studies conducted in Lao PDR have estimated very high prevalence rates among high-risk groups, 42% for unemployed youth, 34% for patrons of discotheques and clubs, and 14% for commercial sex workers (UNODC, 2002). A study in 2008 estimated that 300,000 youth aged 13-21 years used drugs with over 120,000 using inhalants and the remaining split evenly being methamphetamine pills and cannabis (Doran, 2008). The study suggested that, on average, almost 10% of youths in the school system are using drugs by the age of 16, while almost 25% are using drugs by the age of 21. The high estimate of inhalant use among youth is of particular concern given its severe negative health effects. No data exist on the extent of drug use in prisons, detention facilities, and among migrants.