The drug control and law enforcement with major operations launched by successive Myanmar Governments to eliminate narcotic drugs that reached our country and the lives and limbs sacrificed by members of the Tatmadaw in pursuit of this goal.

The drugs and precursor chemicals, worth K 28377.55 million and US$ 46.99 million at current proce, we burnt and destroyed on 16th July, 2006 were those seized from a clandestine refinery in the area adjacent to where a breakaway group of Shan State National Army (SSNA) is based. For the successful search and raid operation of the clandestine refinery, our anti-narcotic task forces have to collaborate not only with local law enforcement agencies but also with international law enforcement agencies and with neighbouring countries like Thailand and China to enhance exchange of information.

The Government of Myanmar fully realizes that enforcement measures alone cannot succeed in eliminating drugs. Those ethnic groups residing in illicit crop cultivated areas are very much dependent on these crops for their livelihood and the government have been introducing alternative development programmes together with life skills training to support and enhance their living standards.

Myanmar is trying to eradicate poppy cultivation by the year 2014 and will strive from all sectors to achieve this end. Myanmar in future will further augment efforts to wipe out the menace of drugs in friendly and close cooperation with international organizations, neighbouring countries and with countries within the region and with a pledge to demonstrate Myanmar’s increased achievements to the international community.