Conclusion

inhabit the golden land of Myanmar as one monolithic nation, are cognizant of the fact that

the problem of narcotic drugs, imposed them over their protests nearly 175 years ago, has now

developed into a menacing demon threatening the entire family of nations.

The people of Myanmar share the awareness as well as the grave concern of the

international community relative to the menace of illicit drugs. The people of Myanmar are in

anguish over the widespread suffering wrecked by illicit drugs on human societies, especially on

the younger generations, across the great continents of the globe. The untold suffering and

the anguish caused by the abuse of drugs relate to all the peoples of the entire world. Myanmar

will do its utmost with whatever resources it possesses to fight this menace threatening

humanity.

The Government of the Union of  Myanmar, treating the issue as a national task,

has keen steadfastly exerting vigorous efforts to bring an end to the poppy cultivation, production and drug abuse throughout the successive eras, sacrificing lives and limbs of scores of citizens,

in particular members of the Armed Forces In these

endeavours, Myanmar has also been taking cooperative measures both at the regional and international level.

Currently, the Government of the Union of Myanmar has launched a bold and ambitious scheme for the total elimination of the opium poppy from the soil of the country. This is not merely a stopgap measure nor is it a quixotic or whimsical undertaking.

Under the master plan adopted by the Government, multifaceted programme for the development of the border areas and national races are already underway for the improvement of infrastructures and

sector-wise development activities. By uplifting the social life and economic status of the people of the border areas, the gradual but certain elimination of the poppy would 

come within the given timeframe. It would  change the pattern of living and livelihood of the 

inhabitants of the border areas where poppy   plants thrive. There is no other viable

solution nor is there an easy way out of labyrinth of problem involved, save economic and social

uplift which would uproot the poppy plant from the life of the people in the border areas.

However the problem of narcotic drugs is a global problem which cannot be adequately

tackled by countries or regions acting alone. It is a global problem that needs cooperation on a

global scale. It is a problem that must be resolved in a holistic manner.

It needs to be resolved not only from the production side but also from the demand

reduction side. While enforcement activities are important, they need to be accompanied by public  awareness are habilitation measures. Destruction of poppy fields, which in many cases constitute the only

source of income for the people in remote and poverty ridden areas of many developing

countries, must be accompanied by programme to provide alternative livelihoods for those people. It

is with this consideration in mind that the government of the Union of Myanmar had embarked upon its ambitious 15-year

plan. This would mean devoting its scarce and limited resources to implement this

very important project. Myanmar is prepared to do so. It regards the eradication of this scourge of the humanity not only as d national endeavour but also as an international duty.

At the same time international cooperation is vital if national efforts, such as the one Myanmar has embarked upon, is to meet with success. Timely assistance from international sources would go a long way to ensure the success of Myanmar’s 15-year plan to eradicate the problem of narcotic drugs.