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The Dilemma between Environment and Economy: Combatting the Challenges of Illicit Drugs in Laos

Hasanuddin Journal of Strategic and International Studies · Vol. 1 No. 1 (2022) · pp. 39–44

DOI
10.20956/hjsis.v1i1.24846
ISSN
2963-1394
Published
2022-12-30
Publisher
Hasanuddin University
Language
en
License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

Abstract

This research aims to analyze 1) the Lao government’s responses in coping with illicit drugs in Laos; 2) the responses of IGO, particularly UNODC, in addressing the illicit drugs issue in Laos; (3) the impacts of opium farming on the economy and environment in Laos. The results of this research reveal that the Lao government is very committed to dealing with the illicit drugs issue, reflected by its involvement in international conventions and long-term national planning. However, these steps could not achieve maximum results as many former opium farmers in Laos could not find sustainable jobs, thus at risk of reverting to opium farming. Meanwhile, as IGO, UNODC played an essential role in assisting the Lao government in eliminating opium farming and creating sustainable jobs. The cooperation between UNODC and the Lao government improved the opium farming situation in Laos. However, the concern for the environment caused by opium farming has not been found, even though illegal opium farming causes deforestation, decreased biodiversity, and soil erosion.

Keywords

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Co-authorOrganisationJoint articles
Istiqomah Febrian Alda As’adAffiliation unknown1
Andi Lukman IrwanAffiliation unknown1

Affiliations come from OpenAlex; journal OAI-PMH metadata carries none. Authors without an OpenAlex ID are matched by name, which can merge or split people.

Metadata source: OAI-PMH (metadata jurnal) https://journal.unhas.ac.id/index.php/hjsis/oai, first harvested 2 Nov 2026, last seen 2 Nov 2026.
Original metadata (oai_dc) 
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	<dc:title xml:lang="en">The Dilemma between Environment and Economy: Combatting the Challenges of Illicit Drugs in Laos</dc:title>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Shiddiq, Muhammad Ismail Ash </dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Nafilah, Regina Farah</dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Lao government</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">UNODC</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">illicit drugs</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">drug trafficking</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">opium farming</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">illegal opium</dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en">This research aims to analyze 1) the Lao government’s responses in coping with illicit drugs in Laos; 2) the responses of IGO, particularly UNODC, in addressing the illicit drugs issue in Laos; (3) the impacts of opium farming on the economy and environment in Laos. The results of this research reveal that the Lao government is very committed to dealing with the illicit drugs issue, reflected by its involvement in international conventions and long-term national planning. However, these steps could not achieve maximum results as many former opium farmers in Laos could not find sustainable jobs, thus at risk of reverting to opium farming. Meanwhile, as IGO, UNODC played an essential role in assisting the Lao government in eliminating opium farming and creating sustainable jobs. The cooperation between UNODC and the Lao government improved the opium farming situation in Laos. However, the concern for the environment caused by opium farming has not been found, even though illegal opium farming causes deforestation, decreased biodiversity, and soil erosion.</dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en">Hasanuddin University</dc:publisher>
	<dc:date>2022-12-30</dc:date>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/article</dc:type>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion</dc:type>
	<dc:format>application/pdf</dc:format>
	<dc:identifier>https://journal.unhas.ac.id/index.php/hjsis/article/view/24846</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.20956/hjsis.v1i1.24846</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en">Hasanuddin Journal of Strategic and International Studies; Vol. 1 No. 1 (2022); 39-44</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2963-1394</dc:source>
	<dc:source>10.20956/hjsis.v1i1</dc:source>
	<dc:language>en</dc:language>
	<dc:relation>https://journal.unhas.ac.id/index.php/hjsis/article/view/24846/9116</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">Copyright (c) 2022 Hasanuddin Journal of Strategic and International Studies (HJSIS)</dc:rights>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0</dc:rights>
</oai_dc:dc>