NEWS - MYANMAR'S Drug Addicts Reach

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Subject: NEWS - MYANMAR'S Drug Addicts Reach Over 60,000

MYANMAR'S Drug Addicts Reach Over 60,000

               Xinhua
               13-JUN-99

               YANGON (June 14) XINHUA - The number of
               narcotic drug addicts in Myanmar has reached
               66,463, according to the latest figures published by
               the country's Central Committee for Drug Abuse
               Control. 

               Of the total, opium addicts account for 50.01
               percent, heroin addicts 37.4 percent, marijuana
               addicts 7.7 percent, stimulant addicts 1.2 percent,
               tranquilizer addicts 0.99 percent and other addicts
               2.7 percent. 

               However, the U.N. Drug Control Program estimates
               that the actual number of Myanmar's drug addicts is
               significantly higher, totaling about 400, 000 to
               500,000. 

               Up to now, Myanmar has established six major drug
               treatment centers throughout the country, giving
               treatment to about 2,000 drug addicts yearly. The
               centers are respectively located in Yangon,
               Mandalay, Myitkyina, Taunggyi, Lashio and Kyaing
               Tong. 

               The country has also set up eight rehabilitation
               centers to provide vocational training for ex-addicts,
               which are situated in Yangon, Mandalay, Phekhon,
               Namlat, Kyaing Tong, Lashio, Myitkyina and Wet Hti
               Kan. 

               According to official statistics, there were 61,236
               hectares of poppy cultivation in Myanmar that would
               yield 665.28 tons of opium and could be refined into
               66.52 tons of heroin annually. 

               In 1998, the Myanmar authorities exposed a total of
               3,546 drug-related cases, punishing 4,845
               offenders. 

               The authorities also seized during the period a total
               of 10,794 kilos of narcotic drugs, including 403.8
               kilos of heroin and 5,393.6 kilos of opium, as well
               as 16.02 million stimulant drug tablets and
               destroyed 18, 014 hectares of poppy plantations.