Getting addicted to drug means the habitual and uncontrollable intake of drug. Drug addiction is often considered to be the result of drug abuse and drug dependence. Drug abuse refers to the intake of drugs without any medical needs and dependence refers to the compelling mind that cannot do without drug consumption. In the recent times many teenagers and young people are getting addicted to the drug intake. Marijuana, opium, cocaine, sleeping pills and heroine are leading the list of drugs usually consumed by the youth to get high as they believe intoxication is the way to enjoy a perfect life.
Myanmar is the world’s second largest producer of opium after Afghanistan. As per a report published by the UN in 2011, it has been found that the use of methamphetamine in Myanmar has gone up since 2005. However, the use of heroin and opium showed a gradual decline. However, the increase in the production of poppy fields and methamphetamine factories in Myanmar remote borderlands has increased the apprehension of luring young people into drug addiction.
The authorities have shown their concerns over the matter as the drugs have started coming from the rebel-held areas of western Shan State. The import of drug has revived the reputation of Myanmar as the hub of narcotics production.
The drug addicts are going for a potent cocktail of cough medicine and opium that is taken as a drink. However, methamphetamine and heroin are also pretty popular drugs among the youngsters.
Youngsters who are addicted to drugs in Myanmar are found getting high at university campuses, homes and even openly in some teashops. The consumption of the drugs is reported to be very high during the local festivals.
Most of the drug addicts in Myanmar are believed to be teenagers according to a report published by the HIV/AIDS Asia Regional Program (HAARP) activist, Myo Aung Zan. According to government statistics, the number of drug addicts in Myanmar is about 150,000 out of which 50 per cent inject drug into their bodies.
Myanmar produces 23 per cent of opium produced overall in the world. Myanmar along with Bolivia and Venezuela has been put in the annual drug trafficking blacklist published by US. There are many small factories producing “Yaba”, which is a tablet form of methamphetamine. Yaba is crushed and smoked as cigarettes. However, the locals believe that methamphetamine is used since a long time to beat the tiredness caused by bus driving, fishing and spending long hours working in factories.
The drug seizing activities in Myanmar have been geared up and as a result a huge amount of heroin has been seized.
