Myanmar has reiterated its commitment to combating drugs as a national duty in line with international drug conventions Xinhua reported on 29 June.
The country has implemented three drug enforcement operations since 2010 in Ho Pone, Pin Lon and Loilin Townships of Shan State in cooperation with the UN Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) to reduce drug abuse among youth and to create alternative income for opium poppy farmers and contribute to their development.
In addition, the government has also integrated rural development and the need for improving the livelihoods of indigenous people into a national poverty alleviation program in the opium cultivation areas where people had to rely on illicit activities and opium cultivation to meet their basic needs.
To assist in the rehabilitation of drug users the Ministry of Health has established 26 major drug treatment centres and 47 minor drug treatment centres throughout the country.
In a ceremony to mark the 28th International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Myanmar authorities burned 244.65 million U.S. dollars’ worth of narcotics in three main cities - - Yangon, Mandalay and Taunggyi.