Myanmar has taken the initiative in addressing the drug problem by launching the 15-year Drug Elimination Plan in 1999-2000 with three five-year phases. The first five-year phase met with success. According to a report of UNODC, poppy cultivation in Myanmar declined 13 per cent in 2002, 24 per cent in 2003 and 29 per cent in 2004.

The Opium Yield Survey conducted annually in collaboration with the US has also shown a drastic decline of 88 per cent in poppy production in 2004 when compared to 1996 levels. Poppy cultivation also declined 81 per cent for the same period. The seized drugs are destroyed yearly at a ceremony in Yangon starting from 1990 and it has now reached the 19th time. In the same way, seized drugs and dried poppy bulbs were destroyed in other cities as well as in border areas and it has now reached the 34^th time.

The decline in poppy cultivation and production can be attributed to the commitment of the government in the fight against drugs and the active participation of local authorities, national race leaders and local people in the drive. The implementation of the five rural development tasks and the 24 special development zones to improve the living standard of the national races was also a crucial contributing factor.

For successful realization of the second 5-year phase, systematic steps are being taken for ensuring international cooperation and participation of the entire national people. Learning from the success and challenges encountered during the first 5-year phase, the entire national people are to do their bit with nationalistic spirit for successful realization of the second 5-year phase. As part of the 15-year Drug Elimination Plan, the New Destiny Project has been introduced since April 2002, and remarkable progress has been made in this regard.

In the meantime, Myanmar is taking effective measures in the fight against stimulants that emerged as a new drug threat. Precursor chemicals for stimulant production are not produced in Myanmar but they are smuggled in from neighboring countries.

As neighboring countries as well as those in the region are contributing their shares in Myanmar’s fight against drugs, it is incumbent upon the entire national people to actively take part in the drive.