LAND FOR OPIUM FALLS 22%

OPIUM poppy cultivation has been almost eradicated in Asia's Golden
Triangle, the border zone between Burma, Thailand and Laos that was
once the world's most prolific supplier of opium, according to a
report published by the United Nations.

The area of land being used for poppy farming has fallen by 22 per
cent worldwide, reflecting declines in the world's three biggest
producers of opium: Afghanistan, Burma and Laos.

The UN's 2006 World Drug Report said Laos, once the world's third
biggest heroin producer, declared itself free of poppy cultivation in
February.

It used a "carrot and stick" approach, striking agreements with
farmers to stop growing poppies or risk seeing their fields destroyed.

The price of opium has increased by 5 per cent this year to $550 a
kilogram.

The UN report also revealed that global seizures of ecstasy, which is
mainly manufactured in Europe, passed eight tonnes in 2004, up from
less than five in 2003. Global cocaine seizures reached a record high
in 2004, up to 588 tonnes.