UN agency says Myanmar, Golden Triangle opium cultivation jumps

NAYPYITAW, Myanmar, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Opium output in Myanmar, the world's second largest producer after Afghanistan, rose 26 percent from last year, a U.N report said.

Total production this year is estimated to be about 870 tonnes [960 tons], the U.N. Office of Drugs and Crime said in its Southeast Asia Opium Survey 2013 released Wednesday.

The report said opium cultivation acreage in Myanmar, formerly called Burma, increased to 57,800 hectares [143,000 acres] this year from 51,000 hectares [126,000 acres] last year.

The report said despite eradication efforts, Myanmar's opium production jumped because of a rise in cultivation and higher yield.

Total opium cultivation acreage in the Golden Triangle, which includes Myanmar, Laos and Thailand, increased 22 percent this year, the seventh consecutive year of increase, the report said.

The report said in Myanmar and Laos the use of heroin, opium and synthetic drugs remains high.

"These figures make clear that we need to step up efforts to address the root causes of cultivation and promote alternatives to poppy growing," Jeremy Douglas, UNODC Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, said.

He said the Golden Triangle is the geographic center of the Greater Mekong Sub-region. He warned that with the planned growth of transport, infrastructure, lowering of trade barriers and easing of border controls, organized criminal networks are well-positioned to take advantage of the regional integration.

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/un-agency-says-myanmar-golden-triangle-opium-cultivation-jumps/