Drugs addict treatment centre opened in Tachilek

20 March -The opening ceremony of community based drugs addict treatment centre

organized by Myanmar Anti-Narcotics Association was held on 20 March at Hway Lay

Lan village in Mongphone Village-tract, in Tachilek Township with an address by

Tachilek District Drug Abuse Control Committee Tachilek District Peace and

Development Council Chairman Lt-Col Aung Nyunt Thein and members, departmental

20 March – At the invitation of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control, a

12-member Chinese delegation led by President of Yunnan People’s Security

College Professor Deputy Police Maj-Gen Mr Luo Bingsen arrived here yesterday

delegation called on Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing at the latter’s

office. The Chinese delegation also met Director-General of MPF Brig-Gen Khin Yi

at the latter’s office at the ministry and they discussed matters relating to

narcotic drugs and mutual cooperation between the police forces of the two

countries. The delegation then visited the Drug Elimination Museum in Kamayut

Director-General of MPF Brig-Gen Khin Yi gave a dinner in honour of the Chinese

delegation led by Deputy Police Maj-Gen Mr Luo Bingsen at the Kandawgyi Palace

15 March—The Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control held its Special Meeting

1/2003 at the meeting hall of Drug Elimination Museum at the corner of Kyundaw

Street and Hanthawady Street in Kamayut Township here this morning, with an

address by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin

In his address, Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt

said that with regard to drug elimination, the Government has laid down the

15-year drug elimination plan and is implementing it, adding that remarkable

The Government has been making all-out efforts

in the crusade against the narcotic drugs. However, the amount of the assistance

provided to the campaign by the international community was insignificant in

But the Government is working hard in the fight

against drugs which posed danger to entire  global people in the interests of

own nation and own race as well as in the interests of the entire global people

in accord with  the faith of Myanmar people, accepting it as a national concern.

Since the Government has been making relentless efforts for eradication of poppy

cultivation and production and use of drugs, the national race leaders

participated in the drive under the former’s leadership, paying serious

attention to the conviction of the Government. As a result, progress has been

made in implementing the 15-year drug elimination plan.  At the same time, the

Government has laid down the New Destiny Project and is implementing it to

accelerate the momentum in implementing the 15-year drug elimination plan.

Meanwhile, the entire national people in border areas are cooperating with the

Although there has been a significant progress

in the fight against drugs in Myanmar, some western powers are still  regarding

Myanmar as the one which does not cooperate in the anti-narcotic drugs drive.

But the Government, with assistance or without assistance, will continue to make

efforts in the campaign  with national concept. Though the western powers do not

acknowledge the efforts of Myanmar in the drug elimination tasks, it was obvious

that the organizations related to those countries have acknowledged Myanmar’s

The Counter Narcotic and Crime (CNC) has been

conducting surveys on illegal poppy cultivation and production in Myanmar yearly

since 1993. It has conducted the surveys nine times up to this year. The CNC

acknowledged that there was a decrease in poppy cultivation and production in

According to the CNC’s survey, there were only

77,700 hectares of poppy acreage with the production of 630 metric tons in 2002

when compared with 163,100 hectares of poppy acreage with the production of

2,560 metric tons in Myanmar in 1996. Thus, there is a remarkable decrease in

poppy cultivation and production. In addition, the poppy cultivation and

production in Myanmar in 2003 was cut by half in comparison with those in 2002,

according to the CNC.  It is obvious that the international community has

acknowledged the efforts of Myanmar in the fight against drugs with facts and

figures but some western powers do not acknowledge Myanmar’s efforts by

intermingling then with politics. The poppy farmers in border areas have to make

just end meets in growing poppy. So also poppy-substitute cultivation and other

business undertakings need to be created for them. The western powers do not

The government with its own financial strength

has laid down the 15-year drug elimination plan and is implementing

to create poppy-substitute cultivation and other business undertakings for the

However, significant progress

has been made in poppy substitutions — cash and perennial crops cultivation in

Myanmar. There were poppy-substitute plantations countable by the thousand and

progress has been made in poppy-substitute industries and livestock breeding

tasks in border areas. A remarkable progress has been made in Myanmar’s

cooperation with neighbouring countries in the fight against drugs. Achievements

have being made in exchange of information and seizures of drug suspects between

Myanmar and China. In addition, progress has been made in searching the markets

of Myanmar’s poppy-substitute crops in the PRC. Similarly, progress has been

made in Myanmar’s cooperation with Thailand. Thailand has been making efforts

with added momentum after laying down a special plan in the fight against

stimulants like amphetamine. Myanmar has laid down the 15-year drug elimination

plan. In implementing the plan, the new destiny project has been laid down and

is being implemented. The Secretary-1 urged all officials to make concerted

efforts to successfully implement the drug elimination measures in accord with

Chairman of Central Committee

for Drug Abuse Control Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing reported on

measures undertaken by CCDAC. He said: in connection with crop substitution

programme New Destiny Project was implemented. Out of 15,519.5 acres, 14857.75

acres of monsoon crops were cultivated. Percentage of implementation was 95.74%.

In cultivation of cold season crops, 9,812.89 acres were targeted and 8,504.64

acres were cultivated and percentage of completion was 86.67%. Out of 25,332.39

acres, 23,362.39 acres of monsoon and cold season crops were cultivated. The

Under the New Destiny Project

K 117.28 million were spent— K 42.5 million in Shan State (North), K 15 million

in Pansay region, K 10 million in Shan State (South), K 7.48 million in Shan

State (East), K 9.5 million in Kachin State, K 10 million in Sadon region in

Kachin State special region-1, K 2.8 million in Kayah State, K 5 million for

Tachilek Anti-Narcotics Association and Rehabilitation Centre, K 12.5 million

for livestock breeding, K 1.854 million for construction of Shwepyiaye Camp and

In 2002, programmes for opium

substitute livestock breeding were undertaken in Phekhon and Pinlaung Townships.

Altogether K 12.5 million from the funds of the ministry were spent on

distribution of pedigree fowl and pig in Tachilek, Wa, Tongta, Kunhein and

Homein regions. Under the opium free zone establishment project, treatment for

drug addicts in Tachilek District began on 6 December 2002. Social Welfare

Department started its rehabilitation tasks at Tachilek Rehabilitation Centre on

7 January 2003. The Ministry of Health announced the order relating to control

of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances under its notification No1/2003

Anti-drug activities were

reported on daily papers and Yadanabon newspaper and telecast on MRTV and

Myawady TV and broadcast on Radio Myanmar. Interviews were also telecast in

Myanmar Anti-Narcotics

Association formed 11 Township level associations in Yangon Division in 2002.

The anti-narcotics associations were formed in Tachilek District, Taunggyi and

Kengtung Townships in Shan State and Pyay Township in Bago Division (West). 

Duties were assigned to six groups led by member of CCDAC the minister and the

deputy ministers to inspect implementations of the tasks under the New Destiny

Project, narcotic elimination and development tasks and to fulfil the

The members of CCDAC the

ministers made seven field trips in 2002. He and Vice-Chairmen of CCDAC,

accompanied by ambassadors, military attaches and local and foreign journalists,

made field trips to Shan State (North), Shan State (East) and Wa region from 1

to 3 April 2002 and Shan State (East) and Shan State (North) from 6 to 8

December 2002. They witnessed the cooperation of the government and local people

Similarly, Laos-based

ambassadors and military attaches led by Deputy Prime Minister of Laos visited

Tachilek, Kengtung and Mongla regions from 13 to 15 February 2003. He and

Vice-Chairman of CCDAC Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung explained

measures undertaken in the regions.  After the excursion tour, Chinese

Ambassador to Myanmar donated 100,000 yuan and Italian Ambassador US $ 100,000.

The Japanese Ambassador discussed assistance in connection with development

activities for eradication of narcotic drugs with four ministers on 28 December

2002. Cultivation of buckwheat is being undertaken for opium substitute crop

cultivation. It is necessary to extend other crops cultivation that earns money

for cultivation of buckwheat alone is not sufficient. Therefore arrangements are

Chairman of JBB Stevia

Laboratory Ltd and party together with CCDAC officials visited Pinlaung and

Phekhon Township in connection with cultivation of stevia.  A delegation led by

Adviser of JMSSO former Prime Minister of Japan Mr Tsutomu Hata visited Myanmar

in February and discussed cultivation of stevia. Arrangements are being made for

signing of MoU. Development projects being implemented in Shan State Special

Region-1 Kokang region under Myanmar-China narcotic drugs control programme.

NNCC of the People’s Republic of China would provide cultivation techniques and

crop seeds worth 300,000 yuan. He spoke at length on conducting of agriculture

technique courses, providing over 12 tons of various kinds of crops, 200,000

saplings, fertilizer and pesticides. The four-member supervisory committee was

formed and the Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar provided US$ 12,000 for

All-round development project

is being undertaken in Yaungkha Village, Monghsat Township in accord with the

MoU on Myanmar-Thai narcotic drug control. Thailand would provide 20 million

bahts for narcotic drug control in the border areas. Tasks on supply of water,

agriculture and livestock breeding including construction of dispensary and

school would be implemented step by step.  Experts from Thailand arrived at the

project area on 11 December 2002 and chose the site for construction of school

and hospital. Three small dams that would irrigate 850 acres of lands would be

He said Myanmar in cooperation

with international organization such as the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

The illicit crops monitoring

programme was launched in 11 townships in Shan State from January to March in

2001 in cooperation with CCDAC and UNODC. According to the programme, there were

10,939 acres of poppy in 284 villages in 11 townships. The average opium yield

Similarly, the collecting data

on ground illicit poppy cultivation was also carried out in 53 villages in Shan

In 2003, similar survey was

Myanmar in cooperation with

the US conducted opium yield survey for nine times from 1993 to 2003. According

to the data collected, annual opium yield gradually fall beginning from 1996. In

2002 opium acreage was about 77,700 hectares and opium production was only 630

tons. In 2003, production is expected to fall another 50 percent compared with

the previous year. With the decrease of poppy cultivation in Myanmar, tasks on

cultivation of opium substitute crops and livestock and breeding and other

economic enterprises are to be extended. It is obvious that poppy cultivation

and production considerably fall in Myanmar according to opium yield survey of

UN and CNC and illicit crops monitoring programme of UNDOC. It is accepted as

However, Myanmar was accused

of producing stimulant tablets. Production of stimulant tablets has nothing to

do with opium cultivation. Chemical precursors such as ephedrine, pseudo

ephedrine and caffeine came from neighbouring countries. Rich people from abroad

Over 6.5 tons of ephedrine was

seized in 1999; 2.6 tons in 2000; 3.9 tons in 2001 and 1.7 tons in 2002. Over

58,000 litres of Chemical precursors were seized in 1999; 89,000 litres in 2000;

159,000 litres in 2001 and 29,000 litres in 2002. Over 28.89 million  stimulant

tablets were seized in 1999; 26.76 million in 2000; 32.43 million in 2001 and

9.399 million in 2002. Every year seizures increased in number but they

The root of the problem is

chemical precursors and all neighbouring countries are to make efforts for

prevention of precursors. Myanmar hosted a meeting on control of chemical

precursors in January 2003 in cooperation with Myanmar, China, India and UNODC.

The meeting discussed difficulties faced in Myanmar, exchange of information and

technical assistance. A seminar on control of chemical precursors between law

enforcement officers of Myanmar and India will be held in Moreh under the

sponsorship of UNDOC at the end of this month.  Information was exchanged at

grassroots levels in Thailand and central level transnational meetings and

cooperation is being promoted by opening offices of liaison officers. It shows

Then, Vice-Chairman of CCDAC

Minister for PBANRDA Col Thein Nyunt explained the cultivation of poppy

substitute crops in Shan State (East) and Wa region, assistance for cultivation

of perennial crops and raising of pigs, assistance rendered to drug addict

rehabilitation centres, creation of job opportunities for local people and

cultivation of buckwheat as a poppy substitute crop and export of buckwheat in

respective years. CCDAC member Minister for Labour U Tin Winn explained matters 

on  formation of anti-narcotics associations and discussions with local people

over eradication of drugs in Tachilek and Monghsat Districts, Shan State (East),

findings in success of cultivation of poppy substitute crops, and conditions of

education, communication and transportation. CCDAC member Minister for SWRR Maj-Gen

Sein Htwa explained matters related to conducting educative courses in

rehabilitation centres in Yangon, Mandalay, Myit-kyina, Lashio, Namlatt (Taunggyi),

Tachilek, Shwepyitha and Shwepyiaye youth rehabilitation camps and participation

of trainees in the courses. Secretary of CCDAC Director-General of Myanmar

Police Force Brig-Gen Khin Yi explained  implementation of the minutes of

Then,

the chairmen and secretaries of Supervisory Group for CCDAC working groups,

working group for cultivation of poppy substitute crops, livestock breeding

working group, working group for medical treatment, working group for

dissemination of knowledge among youth, working group for organizing the public,

rehabilitation working group, working group for international relations,  and

working group for prevention and control of narcotic drugs reported on works

being carried out and future tasks. Those present also took part in the

The Secretary-1 then made

concluding remarks. He said Myanmar’s anti-narcotics endeavours have practically

been successful according to the reports of the officials. Poppy cultivation was

an evil legacy that Myanmar had  tried to solve throughout the periods.

Anti-narcotic endeavours have been successful with the cooperation of local

people and national race leaders in border areas under the leadership of the

The suppression of the danger

of stimulant tablets will meet success only through the cooperation with

neighbouring countries. Hence, prevention of the in-flow of chemical precursors

required in making stimulant tablets and prevention of the smuggling the

stimulant tablets out of the country will be carried out harmoniously.  In

conclusion, he called for continued efforts for accelerating the momentum in the

anti-drug movement by decreasing the poppy cultivation and opium production

while raising the momentum in suppressing the stimulant tablets. The meeting

4 March — A combined team comprising members of Tatmadawmen, local intelligence

unit and Myanmar Police Force on 19 February destroyed 2.75 acres of poppy

plantation and two huts 500 yards from Naungkham deserted Village, Napon