Anti-drug campaign by Kachin students

by Myo Gyi

Thursday, 26 June 2008 19:31

Ruili – Anti-drug campaign posters were pasted at crowded places in Myitkyina, Kachin State this morning, an opposition Kachin student organization said. 'All Kachin Students Union' (AKSU) pasted A-4 size posters with the words 'No Drug' written on them at key places in Myitkyina such as No. 1 and No. 2 markets and other crowded junctions today on International anti-drug use and drug trafficking day. "Narcotic drugs are available everywhere. Almost 50% of the youth are addicted and we launched this campaign for awareness among the people," Ko Mabram, a member of AKSU said. He said that they pasted about 200 papers. Despite it being anti-drug campaign, the authorities removed the posters because it was pasted by an opposition organization, he said. AKSU said it launched the campaign because drug addiction in Kachin State was increasing at an alarming rate. Various narcotic drugs such as 'Formula', Diazepam, marijuana, heroin, opium and 'Rama' are being trafficked and are available in Myitkyina. A vial of 'Formula' is sold at Kyat 8,000, a capful of the penicillin vial is Kyat 1,500-2,000, a tablet of ecstasy at Kyat 8,000-10,000 and raw opium pasted on cloth weighing one tical (about 6.5 gm) Kyat 10,000. Drug addiction and drug abuse are rampant among university students and among miners in jade and gold mines. The police, lawyers, legal officers, jailors and other government staff are increasingly getting involved in drug trafficking. "The police, prosecutors, jailors and judges are minting money from drugs When they seize two kilograms of heroin from someone, they report only one kilogram to the higher authorities to reduce punishment and then help the trafficker test negative during medical check up. They also help the culprit in getting acquitted by taking money. Even if the trafficker wants to quit the business, the police give him the stuff (drug) and force him to continue the illicit but lucrative business", Ko Mabram said. AKSU is conducting a research on rampant drug abuse among the youth especially in Phakant jade mine. They will publish a book compiled on the widespread incidence of HIV, AIDS among the local people soon. "Most of the cases are found in Phakant in all age groups. Most of the addicts and drug users are lowly paid labourers in the jade mines. They inject the drug into the vein and thereby transmit AIDS to sex workers and others. According to our research and survey, there are hundreds of thousands of people with the AIDS virus," he added. AKSU said that poppy cultivation in Kachin State is increasing especially in Hukaung valley, Satone region, Puta-O, Tanai, Swamparabon among others. The opium harvest is transported to Phakant jade mine and then the proceedings of the sale is laundered through the jade business. < Prev   Next >