(26 June 2021)

MAY All Myanmar citizens be auspicious and free from danger of narcotic drugs. The UN General Assembly in 1987 has decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. It has been 34 times since the world countries have been observing this occasion annually.

Although the central-level and state/region level ceremonies for the 33rd Anniversary of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking could not have been observed last year due to the COVID-19 crisis, the ceremonies of burning seized drugs and related materials were held in Yangon, Mandalay, Taunggyi, Lashio and Kutkai. Also this year, only the burning ceremonies are held in Yangon, Mandalay and Taunggyi at the same time, with the participation of representatives from international embassies and the United Nations argencies.

Substance abusing, illegal drug-producing and trafficking, dealing of substances used in producing narcotic drugs have affected the people’s health, social and basic economic heart and have encouraged terrorist acts, arms smuggling, money laundering, illicit financial flows, corruption and transactional crimes. Money from narcotic drugs, on the other hand, has been affecting the State’s stability, rule of law and development.

Even though the world is COVID-19 impacted, the use of substances does not reduce and it is important to note that the drugs production, trafficking and abuse styles have changed.

Myanmar has been facing illegal poppy cultivation, production and trafficking. According to the UNODC’s report on poppy cultivation, Myanmar’s poppy cultivation has declined significantly today because of successive governments’ drug control efforts. In regions affected by narcotic drugs issues, alternative development has substantially supported the livelihood of poppy farmers and the regional development.

With the cooperation among Tatmadaw, Myanmar Police Force and Drug Control Police Force, special operations have been conducted in drugprone areas, including the maritime, since 2013. To date, a total of 31 special anti-narcotics operations have been carried out and many drug-related items have been exposed and seized.

During 2020-2021, international cooperation in the Golden Triangle Region with neighbouring countries prevented a lot of the chemicals used in drug production, effectively preventing drug production and cracking down on drug trafficking.

In 2020, despite the restriction of COVID-19 disease, the military, the Myanmar Police Force and other partner organizations conducted joint operations and exposed 13,960 drug cases worth K1,436.34 billion and 19,994 suspects. More than K2,782 million were confiscated as State funds. As of 31 May, there were 2,833 drug cases worth K380.712 billion, 4,077 suspects, and K190.2334 million were confiscated as the State fund.

In addition to opium and heroin, the control of chemicals including man-made drugs such as stimulants, ICE and Ketamine is also important in reducing drug production. Due to increased prevention and control of precursor chemicals in the country, drug dealers and manufacturers have used the designer precursors in a variety of ways for drug production. As Myanmar is located among neighbouring industrialized nations that produce most chemicals, prohibition control has become a challenge. The Central Committee for Drug Abuse and Contol, in collaboration with international organizations, is monitoring the import of chemicals.

As the saying goes “Prevention is better than cure”, only effective prevention of drug use will make the life of young people better. Since young people are the country’s future, the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Education are carrying out awareness-raising activities to prevent drug abuse. The involvement of the community and local people is especially needed as educating and monitoring one another in the community is more effective.

Drug abusers are young people who can work, reducing the country’s productivity and the health consequences of drug abuse can be detrimental to health and national development. As drug addiction is a treatable disease, treatment is provided by the Ministry of Health and Sports and rehabilitation services are provided by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.

By the time the Government is giving priority to facilitating the trade flows to stabilize commodity prices, drug traffickers are taking advantage of the priority of speeding up the trade flows. At a time when the whole world is being affected by the COVID-19 disease, it is still being exploited for drug production and trafficking. Unfortunately, drug production is still on the rise, according to reports of arrests.

Drug traffickers and manufacturers are the enemies of the entire human races because they are greedy and selfish. We, regardless of religion or race, must safeguard the interests of the human races by engaging in drug control activities for the benefits of all.

Our country has drafted a new national drug control policy to bring it in line with the modern system and redesigned the 1993 Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law to balance criminal penalties. It also approved a national strategic plan to formulate the policy. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Myanmar, it has not yet been implemented, but regional action plans will need to be developed and implemented depending on the disease control.

As a member of the United Nations, Myanmar is actively cooperating in the international arena with the neighbouring countries, regional countries, ASEAN countries, countries outside the region, member countries of BIMSTEC and Greater Mekong Sub-regions in narcotic drugs control activities.

Successive governments have changed their political systems, but have cracked down on the drug problem as a common enemy. Unfortunately, some countries are mixing drug problems with politics. Nevertheless, our country will continue to address the drug problem as a national responsibility.

The Government is enhancing the cooperation with international organizations and partner organizations for drug prevention and control as well as promoting drug control activities in collaboration with departmental organizations and civil society organizations in the country. The public also should take the risk of drugs as a common threat and work together as a national duty.

This year, the theme of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is “Share Facts on Drugs, Save Lives.” We urged you to build a drug-free society by promoting multidisciplinary knowledge.

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