2013's production of opium becomes 870 tons: higher than that of 2012

2013's production of opium becomes 870 tons: higher than that of 2012

Published on Saturday, 19 July 2014 20:35

2013's production of opium has become 870 tons and the amount is reportedly higher than that of 2012, said Khat Htein Nan, Representative of Upper House Parliament, on July 18 at Upper House Parliament.

"From 1999-2000 to 2013-2014, opium growing decreased in 2006. In 2013, opium growing area became 57800 hectares and could be found mostly in Shan State. In 2012, the area used to be only 51000 hectares. Also, production of opium was only 690 tons in 2012 but it has increased to 870 tons in 2013, so 26 percent can be seen to increase,"  he said.

Beyond 1996, the problem of amphetamines and other new narcotic drugs became bigger and likewise, dealing and using of these drugs and drug-related cases increased, he added. The amount got from seizure of narcotic drugs by June 2013 was US$76 million, he included.

Moreover, the amount from June 2013 to June 2014 has been US$130.94 million and US$88.09 million from Shan State and Kayah State.

For elimination of opium growing and improvement of living standards of opium growers, cooperation has been done with international organizations though, the opium growers, dealers, users and related cases has increased more, he said.

From 2013 to 2014 February, 7137 defendants was seen from seizing narcotic drugs and from January to February 2014, it was 1366 defendants. Therefore, the figures show that the number is increasing month by month.

"There are many victims of narcotic drugs in Kachin State where I live. Even there are many in my surrounding. For these problems, elimination of opium growing is needed," he said.

Previously, usage of opium and other narcotic drugs used to exist mostly in border regions but now, it has spread even to Yangon, Mandalay and other cities. Opium plantations as well could be seen in far and distant regions in past, but today, they can be seen even from the roads in some places, so worries about whether they are being grown and dealt like legal trading by paying tax to Gov't illegally or outside the law starts to appear, according to Khat Htein Nan.

As proposal about protesting and preventing together with citizens on using, dealing and growing opium which have become like the disease – cancer in Myanmar will be discussed in Upper House Parliament as there is no one who objects the proposal by Khat Htein Nan from Kachin State Constituency No.1.

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