The narcotic drug is an evil danger related to political, economic, social and health aspects. It is also a grave danger not only to a single nation but also to the entire world. Every nation is constantly carrying out anti-narcotics activities in their own ways.

Myanmar has been launching anti-narcotic tasks since the periods of Myanmar kings. Before 1988, priority was given to drug control such as destruction of poppy fields and opium refineries under various operations. Drug control sector alone is not enough. Tasks for poppy-growers to earn substitute income and to raise the quality of their life in the poppy growing areas are to be implemented harmoniously. By doing so, cultivation and production of poppy will dwindle away to nothing.

For effective implementation of the tasks, three tactics of supply elimination, demand elimination and law enforcement have been adopted and are being practised. In order to undertake three techniques were laid down — to uplift the morale and perception of drug users and poppy growers, to secure smooth and easy transportation and communication between the nationals in highland areas and those in the mainland and to uplift the economic and social life of the national races in the border areas.

The 15-year Narcotics Elimination Plan (1999-2014) was laid down and the first five year plan starting from 1999-2000 to 2003-2004, the second five year plan and the third five year plan are being implemented. Tasks are being carried out in the project regions for success under the sectors of supply elimination, demand elimination and law enforcement, organizing local people for participation in the project and international cooperation.

Moreover, the New Destiny Project, part of the 15-year Narcotics Elimination Plan, was launched in April 2002 under the close supervision of the four deputy ministers. Substitute crops were grown in the past poppy growing areas and poppy production gradually fell year after year. Kokang and Wa regions were declared as opium free zones in 2003 and 2005 respectively. According to the 2005 annual report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), poppy cultivation in Myanmar between 2001 and 2005 dropped by 60 per cent. This showed that there was considerable decline of poppy cultivation in Myanmar.

According to the opium yield survey conducted by Counter Narcotics and Crime (CNC) of the United States, poppy cultivation declined by 80 per cent and opium production in 2004 fell by 88 per cent compared to that of 1996. These figures firmly showed the success of Myanmar’s anti-narcotics campaign.