IT must have been a quirk of Nature that Myanmar had been endowed with land which is favourable for the cultivation of the Poppy plant. It is grown in some areas of the Shan plateau, the “high lands” of Myanmar. The flowers are beautiful and are of different shades of red. But from the milky sap of the fruit capsule of the Poppy plant, “Opium”, a deadly substance is made.

Opium has been around for centuries. It is said to be used to “get high” and enter into a dream world. The worst part is that one can get “hooked” to it after using it a few times. As the addiction deepens, human worth is lessened. The family members of those addicted to “Opium” and it’s derivatives, tell of the pain and despair suffered by them and the addicts in their families themselves.

 “Opium” is easy to cultivate and has a ready market, though largely illegal. It is said that in some areas of Myanmar, it even grows wild. As far as “marketing” of it is concerned, there is the legal demand for “Opium by the pharmaceutical Industry. The industry uses “Opium” and it’s various derivatives to produce many varieties of medicines. But the “demand” for “Opium” by those who have become addicted to it is far more than the legal “demand” of the industries concerned. Now a days “Opium” is being processed into a variety of drugs including heroine, which are distributed all over the world . In addition synthetic drugs which come under the label of “Narcotics” are being produced locally using a variety of chemicals. The production of such drugs is widespread. Synthetic drugs include Amphetamines (ICE).

All types of drugs are being processed and marketed by the agents of the “Drug Lords”. Now a days Opium and it’s derivatives as well as narcotic drugs synthesized from chemicals are spreading all over the world. It is indeed a “Big Businesses” which is thriving in spite of local and international action to eradicate it. The “Drug Lords” have “business links” in many countries.

The illegal Drug Industry, may be compared to a big tree where the “Drug Lords” are the “tree trunks” that sends their roots deep down and anchor themselves firmly to the soil. The “Tree” grows branches and leaves and bear fruits which serves the people addicted to them. They are the “visible” part of the “Drug Industry”. Branches of the Tree can be likened to the “distributers” of the drug and the smaller branches in the tree tops to the “peddlers” who are in touch with the “users” of the “fruits” of the big “Tree”. The comparison may be simplistic to some. However it’s an attempt to provide visual imagery of the Drug Industry.

Successive Governments, with the help of International Agencies have been trying to cut down the “Trees” but with little success. Oft times the finger points at the “Trunk”; “cutting them down” is however, difficult for individual countries. It will need the cooperation of cross border and international law enforcement agencies to eradicate them. However, to use my comparison, the present Government has embarked up on the process of destroying the branches, leaves and fruits of the “ Drugs Industry Tree” in Myanmar. The idea is to solicit the help of the people to “cut off” the “distributers” and the “peddlers” who are “in touch” with the users. The “peddlers” or some would call them “pushers” are the smaller branches near to the fruits. Once the tree is bare of branches , large and small and the leaves, it will not bear fruits.

The strategy adopted is to seek the help of the people to provide information about the , spread and use of drugs. A complaint mechanism has been set up in the form of Drug Activity Special Complaint Department for receiving complaints of drug activity with full protection provided to the person or persons giving the information related to using, distributing and selling illegal drugs. It protects the identity of the informers so that they may not be targeted by revenge seeking people in the drug distribution chain. People have been increasingly providing information about the use, movements and distribution of the narcotic drugs. They sometimes lead to the bigger branches if not to the “ Trunk” itself . On some occasions “Big Branches” have been “cut down”. But presumably the Tree Trunk have not been felled though efforts continue. Another strategy Myanmar has adopted is to team up with International Agencies to cut down the cultivated areas of “Poppy”. The rationale is that, if the supply is reduced so will be the demand.

From the latest statistics announced by the President’s office about seizure of drugs and apprehending of the drug peddlers, dealers and the “Distributers” on information provided by the people, it seems that the strategy is producing results beyond initial expectations. It is up to the people to increasingly provide sound information which will be valuable in eradicating the drug menace in Myanmar. With charity to all and malice to none.

Photo; MNA

#The Global New Light of Myanmar