By Xinhua,
Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar : Myanmar Police Chief Brigadier-General Khin Yi told the press in Nay Pyi Taw on Thursday that the country will strive for the realization of its target to become poppy-free nation by 2014.
Khin Yi made the remarks at a ceremony held at the Myanmar Police Force Headquarters in the new capital, also attended by Home Minister Major-General Maung Oo, to mark this year’s International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Myanmar has collaborated with the UN Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) to conduct the global illicit crop monitoring program since2001 to measure poppy cultivation annually, he said.
According to the UNODC, for the six years period from 2001 to 2006, poppy cultivation in Myanmar reduced by 79 percent to 21,500hectares and opium production by 71 percent to 315 tons in 2006 from 105,000 hectares and 1,097 tons in 2001 respectively.
In 2007, there was increase with poppy cultivation by 29 percent to 27,700 hectares and opium production by 46 percent to 460 tons, the UNODC figures show.
Other police official clarified that there existed difference as such monitoring of poppy cultivation and opium production with the cooperation of China however reveal that there was drop in the aspects.
A press release distributed at the ceremony said that there was annual decline in the seizure of narcotic and amphetamine stimulant drugs from 1997 to 2008, an indicator of reduced production.
“Due to this reduced production, the price of these drugs had increased drastically, thus reducing the market size causing drug users to turn to psychotropic substances as substitute drugs,” the release said..
As part of its collaboration efforts with neighboring countries in drug control, Myanmar has rendered 63 Chinese drug offenders to China since 2001, while in return China has done so by handing over 10 Myanmar people since 2005, the release disclosed, adding that similarly, Myanmar has extradited four Thai citizens to Thailand since 2004, while Thailand has also done so for eight Myanmars since 2005.
As in the previous years, Myanmar conducted a nationwide campaign to raise public awareness and anti-drug education to mark the international day this year.