Significant decrease in poppy cultivation

decrease in poppy cultivation and production in East/South-East Asian countries

28 Feb — The Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control held its meeting No 1/2003

at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Home Affairs this afternoon with an

Col Tin Hlaing said that as regards cultivation of the poppy substitute crops

under the New Destiny Project, altogether 23,362.39 acres of monsoon and winter

crops accounting for 92.22 per cent were cultivated against the target acres of

25,332.39; that with regard to livestock breeding, a total of K 12.5 million was

spent on distribution of poultry, pigs and others in Tachilek region, Wa region,

Tonta region, Kunhein region and Homein region.  According to the setting up of

Drugs Free Zone in the border areas, measures for rehabilitation of drug addicts

in Tachilek District were taken on 16-12-2002, Tachilek Rehabilitation centre of

Social Welfare Department for drug-addicts who have already undergone treatment

was set up on 7 January 2003, and steps are being taken for treatment and

rehabilitation. The Ministry of Health could announce notifications relating to

designation of 25 kinds of control chemicals, 113 kinds of psychotropic drugs

and 124 kinds of narcotic drugs; designation of large 20 rehabilitation centres

education on menace of narcotic drugs, stimulants and HIV/AIDS at the basic

education schools in Yangon Division in 2002 with the sponsorship of the Working

Groups for Educating the danger of Narcotic Drugs to Students and MANA; measures

taken on information and education regarding drug elimination by the Working

Groups for Educating the danger of Narcotic Drugs to Public; formation of

Tachilek District ANA, Kengtung Township ANA, Taunggyi Township ANA, Pyay

Township ANA and 11 Township ANAs in Yangon Division; field trips made by the

CCDAC members ministers to inspect drug eradication and rural development tasks

and fulfillment of the requirements; study tour conducted by diplomats of

missions in Yangon and journalists to witness measures being taken for drug

elimination and regional development in border areas; arrangements being made by

JBB Stevia Levorotary Ltd and Japan-Myanmar Support Working Committee for

cultivation of poppy substitute Stevia; donation of 300,000 yuans by National

Narcotics Control Council of the People’s Republic of China for cultivation of

poppy substitute crops in Kokang region under Myanmar-China Narcotic Drugs

Control Programme, and donation of 12000 dollars by the PRC ambassador for

establishment of a model training school for poppy substitute crops cultivation

and livestock breeding in Kokong region in Shan State (North); construction of a

school with a capacity of 500 students and a 17-bed dispensary in Yaungkha

Village Multidevelopment Project in Monghsat Township with the contribution of

Bt 20 million by Thailand under Myanmar-Thailand Narcotic Drug Control Programme.

The Government has laid down the 15-year drug eradication plan and is

implementing it. The New Destiny Project was introduced in 2002 in the five

States where poppy is cultivated most. As a result, there has been a significant

drop in the poppy cultivation and drug production in 2002 in comparison with the

past six years. As regards conducting survey of poppy cultivation, Counter

Narcotic Centre (CNC) of USA conducted a survey on poppy cultivation and

production in South-East Asian countries; the results of the CNC survey in

Myanmar are poppy cultivation (16,3100 hectares) and production (2,560 metric

tons) in 1996, poppy cultivation (155150 hectares) and production (2,365 metric

tons) in 1997, poppy cultivation (130,300 hectares) and production (1,750 metric

tons) in 1998, poppy cultivation (8,9500 hectares) and production (1,090 metric

tons) in 1999, poppy cultivation (10,8700 hectares) and production (1,085 metric

tons) in 2000, poppy cultivation (10,5000 hectares) and production (865 metric

tons) in 2001, poppy cultivation (77,700 hectares) and production (630 metric

tons). The figures show that the poppy cultivation and production in Myanmar has

Monitoring Programme, ground survey on poppy cultivation was conducted in 2001

by CCDAC and UNDCP  in 11 townships in Shan State (East), Shan State (North) and

Shan State (South) as a pilot project. A ground survey was conducted in 53

townships in 2002 with the help of UNDCP. The result of the survey was poppy

cultivation (81,400 hectares) and production (about 828 tons). The result of CNC

survey is close to that of UNCDP’s , and it is obvious that there is a

February 2003 issued by International Narcotics Control Board, it was stated

that there is significant decrease in poppy cultivation and production in East

and South-East Asian countries as constant efforts have been made with greater

momentum in the fight against narcotic drugs and in poppy substitute

undertakings. There has been 50 per cent decrease in poppy cultivation and

production in Myanmar in 2002 in comparison with the past six years, said the

report. The report of the International Narcotics Control Board is in conformity

with the practical efforts of Myanmar in the fight against narcotic drugs, and

all-efforts in the fight against drugs and there  has been a decrease in poppy

cultivation and production yearly, the USA designated Myanmar as a country which

has no cooperation in drug elimination. The designation is an accusation

levelled at Myanmar by USA according to its view and standard. Myanmar has been

making efforts in the crusade against drug  and the drug elimination drive has

met with success. Efforts are being made with added momentum till  the drug

eradication campaign meeting its end.

Members of CCDAC and MCWG of CCDAC have been making earnest efforts in the fight

against drugs under the guidence of the Head of State in 2002. As a result,

progress has been made in drug elimination tasks and in the projects to reduce

drug production and abuse. Taking lessons on weak points and strong points in

implementing the drive in 2002, efforts need to be made with added momentum in

Then,

Minister U Win Aung spoke. He said that the Head of State has assigned duties to

CCDAC member ministers in different regions in the fight against drugs. In

Thailand also, the Prime Minister himself met with the governors of the

respective provinces, the heads of regional police forces and officials of drug

enforcement agencies and measures were taken for drug eradication from 1

February to 30 April 2002. Drug traffickers and gangs were exposed and so far in

Thailand, altogether 8,745 suspects were arrested for involving in the drug

cases. Gun fires took place in the crack-downs and 977 were captured death

during a month. He also suggested to lay down work programmes for totally wiping

Labour U Tin Winn took part in the discussions. He dealt with the findings

relating to destruction of poppy fields, substitution of poppy with other crops

and regional development during his tour of Shan State (East) regions. He also

spoke of the future work programmes. CCDAC member Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen

Pyi Sone recounted experiences gained during his tour of Shan State (South) and

Kayah State regarding the drug elimination works. He also suggested points for

Next,

CCDAC Secretary Myanmar Police Force Director-General Brig-Gen Khin Yi submitted

matters on implementations of the resolutions of CCDAC meeting 4/2002. He also

explained matters on  distribution of 9,672.3 baskets of paddy, wheat and pulses

& beans; 77,345 kilos of corn, sunflower and vegetables; and 10,739 viss of

potato, onion and garlic under New Destiny Project of poppy substitution. He

said CCDAC has disbursed K 100 million for purchase of poppy substitution crops.

Altogether 1,300 bags of rice were supplied to former poppy farmers in Laukkai

and Kunlon districts of Shan State (North), he said. The Ministry of PBANRDA

also supplied 500 bags of rice, 500 viss of salt and K 3 million to 1,184 former

26 Feb — The Tatmadaw, Myanmar Police Force and the Customs Department exposed

9636 kilos of opium in 13 cases, 65.1708 kilos of heroin in 62 cases, 73.95

kilos of morphine in one case, .3185 kilos of opium oil in 3 cases, 2.7044 kilos

of low grade opium in 29 cases, 13.4382 kilos of marijuana in 15 cases, 15.25

litres of Phensedyl in 4 cases, 134595 stimulant tablets   in 44 cases, 20.3 

kilos of Ephe-drine, 10 diazepam tablets, 9604.556 litres of liquid chemicals in

5 cases, 12.7316 kilos of chemical powder, 13 cases for failure to register, and

culprits including 222 men and 45 women in 196 drug related cases in January

this year. On 6 Jaunary, a combined drug control team stopped and searched a

trimotorcycle in Ward-2 in Laukkai. Two men on the trimotorcycle fled, and the

team arrested the driver of the trimotorcycle, Li Kye Yon. According to the

investigation, the driver said on his way to Laukkai from Yanlonkyaing, his

tricycle was hired by two men with a bag. He took them to a house in Sanshin

road. The team searched the houses near Ko Hteik Car Workshop. While the team

was searching the house of U Lauk Kyauk Pa, Li Kyar Maw and Kyin Hwa entered the

house. Having detained the two men, the team continued to search the house and

seized one packet of heroin  near the garage and 139 packets of heroin weighing

41.78 kilos in the cellar under the bathroom. Action is being taken against Lauk

of Wu Lar Hauk (a) Wu Laung Haw of No162, Nyein Chanyay Road in Ward-3,

Chinshwehaw, on 26 January. An unidentified woman ran away from the house. The

team seized 34,200 stimulant tablets and 14 bottles of heroin (.0172 kilo) in

the room. Action is being taken against the owner of the house Wu Lar Hauk (a)

Yangon,

Elimination of Drugs in Shan State (East) Minister U Tin Winn met with Tachilek

District Peace and Development Council Chairman Lt-Col Aung Nyunt Thein,

Chairman of Tachilek District Anti-Narcotics Association U Maung Tint and

members at the office of the Special Anti-Drug Squad in Tachilek. Speaking on

the occasion, the minister said he recognized the organizational work carried

out with the active participation of  district chairman and the anti-narcotics

association that led to the successful opening of a self-reliant Community Based

Drug Addict Treatment Centre. Organization tasks to establish similar centres in

acres of poppy had been grown in Minglin Village-tract in Tarlay Township of

Tachilek District this year. Those poppy plantations were destroyed, and seeds

of substitute crops and livestock were provided to the poppy growers. Although

it was late in the poppy cultivation season,  vigilant watch must be kept to

ensure that there were no poppy cultivation in Minglin and other regions. No

poppy cultivation ensures the success of drugs elimination by half. Stimulant

tablet problem must be handled with the participation of national races. As

Mongpahlo-Kyainlat road leads to Kyaingkokl in the other country across the

Mekong river, it is a possible new route for drug trafficking. In conclusion,

the minister urged those present to check such activities, and to implement the

Then, the chairmen of Tachilek