The government has already laid down the seven-step Road Map to build a new nation. Actually, the energetic implementation of border areas development tasks in all seriousness will effectively contribute to realizing the Road Map. It is required to strengthen the rule of law and peace and stability in border areas, while further developing their health, education, transport and economic sectors.

In accordance with the guidance of the chairman of the central committee, socio-economic infrastructures have been built for the human resource development and plans for the elimination of narcotic drugs have been implemented in border areas which legged behind in development.

Therefore, the results exceeded the expectations. The production of narcotic drugs has drastically decreased.
In this regard, K 101 billion — K 62,335 million from the border area development funds and K 38,730 million from the funds of ministries concerned — have been spent on development of the border areas from 1989 to date. The 15-year drug elimination plan is being implemented from 1999 to 2014. As the border areas development plan commenced in 1989, the drug elimination plan can be implemented successfully.
In carrying out development of border areas, 75 per cent of the total expenditure accounting for K 101,066 million have been spent on development of the regions where the drug elimination plan is being implemented. As a result, poppy growers have the opportunities to do other businesses. Therefore, poppy cultivation declined. It can be seen that poppy cultivation and opium production declined remarkably in the period of implementing the border area development plan.

According to the facts and figures of opium field survey conducted by the government in cooperation with Counter Narcotic and Crime (CNC) of the US, 81 per cent of poppy cultivation and 88 per cent of opium production decreased in 2004 compared with that of 1996. The CCDAC and UNODC jointly conducted opium field survey in 2006. Hence, the poppy cultivation in the entire nation declined by 34 per cent in 2006 in comparison with that of 2005.
Although poppy plantations were destroyed by airplanes through military operations, poppy cultivation and opium production did not decline in the past. At present, regional development tasks, poppy-substitute farming tasks, other economic opportunities and educative talks on disadvantages of narcotic drugs reflect the remarkable decrease of poppy cultivation and opium production. In addition, measures are being taken to combat raw materials and chemical precursors imported from neighbouring countries.

Efforts are being made for taking preventive measures against narcotic drugs in Tachilek, Myawady and Kawthoung. The CCDAC and UNODC are jointly implementing the Wa Alternative
Development Project (WADP) in Mongpauk Township of Wa region (south) from 1988 to 2007, spending US$ 14.899 million contributed by UNODC. These two organizations undertook talks on drug and AIDS, construction of infrastructures and observation and evaluation of poppy cultivation in the region.
WFP provided 30,576 tons of rice worth US$ 11.793 million to the local farmers who had surrendered cultivation of poppy in Kokang region, Wa region, Kutkai, Kaungkha, Monekoe, Phaunghsai, Tarmoenye, Mantung, Mangpan regions, Phekhon, Pinlaung, Hsihseng townships in Shan State (South) from 2003 to 2006. The food providing project for needy families is being implemented from 2007 to 2009 by providing 114,315 tons of food worth US$ 51.739 million to needy families in Shan, Chin, Rakhine and Kachin States and Magway Division.

In addition, 1,000 tons of rice donated by the Thai Government was distributed to Wa region in 2005. In September 2006, 10,000 tons of rice donated by the People’s Republic of China were handed over to the farmers who had surrendered poppy cultivation in the border areas of Myanmar.