title: Influence of opium availability on addiction rates in Laos.
abstract: Crude rates of opium addiction were determined in 1972-1974 in ten communities of Laos, representing eight different ethnic groups and three provinces. In six rural communities, data were obtained by a house-to-house survey, and in four urban communities by opium den registration. Communities raising opium poppy as a cash crop had highest crude rates of addiction (7.0-9.8 addicts per 100 people). Thos involved in opium commerce had intermediate rates (4.1-5.5). Where neither opium production nor commerce was present, the communities had the lowest rates of addiction (1.8-2.3).
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D002160:Cambodia / Q000208:ethnology; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003132:Commerce; D005006:Ethnicity; D006801:Humans; D007812:Laos; D009892:Opium / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014744:Vietnam / Q000208:ethnology
chemical_list: D009892:Opium