Indigenous and expatriate addicts in Laos: A Comparison

Opium addiction has been reported among virtually all large ethnic groups in Asia. Conspicuous by its absence has been any mention of addiction among the Lao, a people surrounded by poppy-growing tribal groups. A sample of Lao patient-addicts are here compared to expatriate Asian addicts in Laos.Lao and expatriate addicts show marked similarity in their sociodemographic profiles and patterns of narcotic use. Some differences in their recent use of narcotic drugs appear related to the greater cash income of the expatriate Asians and their greater access to heroin. No specifically cultural factors for explaining ethnic differences in addiction have yet been identified.Acknowledgement is expressed to Dr. Charles Weldon, Dr. Chomchan Soudaly, Mr. Larry Berger, and Mr. Boun Ke for their support and assistance in this study. Ms. Grace Peng and Ms. Beth Stone assisted in the tabulation and analysis of the data. The project was supported by the Minnesota Medical Foundation, the International Programs Office at the University of Minnesota, and the National Institute of Drug Abuse (grant no. 5 T01 DA 00023-02 and grant no. 1 R01 DA 01599-01).