Drug Users and Dealers Move to “Free Zone” Near Burmese Military Base in Namlim Pa

KachinLand News, August 24, 2013

Drug use has been increasing among local youth in Kachin and northern Shan State. Poppy cultivation and drug use among locals are more prevalent in areas close to Burmese army bases as government troops allow local farmers grow poppy fields in their controlled territory.

A local source says most drug addicts and dealers have moved to Namlim Pa village where Burmese army troops currently stationed from Manwing village as police often come to chase them out of Manwing in southern Kachin State. There is a drug trade “free zone” near Burmese army base in Namlim Pa and drug users can openly use drugs, said the source. As many drug addicts resort to stealing properties, Namlim Pa villagers and nearby Kong Hkang villagers say they have to live with worry and under constant intimidation and harassment.

Chyai Ai of Manwing village says, “KIA troops used to arrest drug dealers in the past but they don’t take actions anymore in Manwing. No one takes responsibility now.” He said, “I think it is because of Burmese troops based in Namlim Pa, KIA’s movements are limited and we don’t see KIA troops taking actions against drug users and dealers.”

Different ethnic communities in Kachin and Shan State take drug eradication in their own hands as government authorities fail to control drug use and take necessary actions to implement existing narcotics laws. Locals say they felt Burmese military’s involvement in the drug problem is largely ignored by international community since it embraces the reform process in Burma.

A group of local Kachin villagers in Mungpaw in northern Shan State set up a drug eradication committee which consists of 7 executives and 200 committee members from 21 villages. Starting this month, the committee will begin to implement its 3-year drug eradication plan.

On Aug 7, Rector-in-charge of Myitkyina University Dr. Aye Ko stopped Kachin University students from distributing leaflets that provide information, abuses and misuses, and harm minimization advice regarding drugs and drug uses. Dr. Aye Ko’s action stand in stark contrast to University’s stated purpose to designate Myitkyina University as drug-free university, to help youths understand harmfulness of drug abuse and cooperate in anti-narcotics campaigns.

Myitkyina University is known as one of the worst campus for student drug use in Burma. A student said, “I think we still live under the same regime and its old policy seeing our students’ activities still being restricted by authorities”.