The New Light of
Myanmar
Friday, 29 December,
2000
PERSPECTIVES
Drugs
Elimination Museum calls for
national and multinational cooperation
Laukkai, a town in the area of brethren
Kokang nationals of Shan State (North) Special RegionÊ1, saw the other day the
opening ceremony of the Drugs Elimination Museum held on a grand scale in the
presence of the dignitaries of the government, diplomats, officials of the UNDCP,
local and foreign journalists and over 5,000 locals.
It is one of the initiatives and campaigns
leading to materialization of the 15-year programme to eradicate narcotic drugs
totally.
It is also a matter of honour for the Union
as well as for Kokang area that the drugs elimination museum to educate and
organize the people has been opened on a grand scale at a time when the
government and the national race leaders in co-operation with the national
people are striving as a national duty to combat the scourge of narcotic drugs.
Among other important points in his keynote
address, Chairman of the Work Committee for Development of Border Areas and
National Races Secretary?1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen
Khin Nyunt stated with delight that today, with increased success in national
solidarity, under the leadership of the government, the national leaders and
regional people are endeavouring hand in hand in unison, and accordingly, there
has been considerable success in regional development, economic progress and
enhanced standard of living, so much so that the regional people have become
more enlightened, they see the evils of narcotic drugs, and of their own will,
they have gradually reduced their poppy cultivation.
He further pointed out that with economic
development in border areas where there had reigned the dark shadows of evils of
past history, the regional people’s life will rise higher, they become
enlightened, and they will come to realise the evils of narcotic drugs, and thus
the targets of eradicating narcotic drugs will be achieved in a short period of
time.
It is internationally recognized that Myanmar
poppy cultivation has been reduced by 31 per cent in the 1999-2000 growing
season and likewise poppy production has been reduced by 38 per cent and also
there has been reduction in seizures of poppy and heroin in all neighbouring
countries.
Concerns about stimulant drugs arose in 1996.
Contrary to the fault-finding accusations and fabrication of critical news
stories blaming Myanmar in the matter of amphetamines, Myanmar has never engaged
in production of ephedrine that is basic in production of amphetamines and it
has been found that the paraphernalia, technology and skilled persons came from
other countries.
At this juncture, the opening of Kokang
Region Drugs Elimination Museum calls for national and multinational
cooperation, and meanwhile, Myanmar will systematically carry on with its
commitment to be totally free from poppy cultivation and to eradicate production
of narcotic drugs.
