Bangkok Post, 18 March 2000Junta gets blame for drug threatPill output predicted to reach 600 millionWassana Nanuam and Sirikul
Bunnag An estimated 600 million methamphetamine tablets will be produced this year
by about 50 factories in Burma. Most will find their way into Thailand, where traffickers are targeting
children as their victims. Top army, education and public health officials met yesterday to discuss
strategy under the Education Ministry's "White Schools" programme. Key participants included army chief Gen Surayud Chulanont, assistant
national police chief Pol Lt-Gen Noppadol Somboonsap and Rasamee Visthavet,
deputy secretary-general of the Narcotics Control Board. Gen Surayud said he was pessimistic since there was no sign Burma would
co-operate in helping stem the flow. "These drugs are produced inside a neighbouring country and there is still no
sign our neighbour will do anything to resolve the problem," he said. It was disheartening that the drugs seized each year was a fraction of the
amount that slipped through. In a bid to keep drugs out of the school system, the Education Ministry
proposed setting up a rehabilitation centre especially for young people. Education Minister Somsak Prissanananthakul said the centres would provide
education and treatment for school and university students. "I want young drug abusers to have a separate rehabilitation centre so that
we can take care of them," he said. "Existing treatment centres admit all kinds of drug abusers and the students
tend to learn more about drug abuse rather than kick the habit." Details of
patients would be confidential, he said. The Education Ministry had discussed with police the possibility of setting
up the proposed rehabilitation centre in a boarding school, and was looking at
Sirindhorn School. He said Deputy Education Minister Pairote Lohsunthorn, chairman of the White
School project, would discuss the details with the various agencies. Mr Somsak said screening was needed to ensure patients do not create a drug
haven. Pol Lt-Gen Noppadol said the drugs trade was booming and dealers were
targeting children as their main clients. Matters could only worsen in the next two years without drastic action. Last year police seized 44 million speed pills and there were 1,667
drug-related cases. Most drugs were smuggled in from Burma, he said. A senior police officer from the Narcotics Suppression Bureau said Burma has
pushed minority groups along the border to boost output. Gen Surayud said he had tried his best to tackle drug problems inside army
barracks. "We have to join together to strengthen our society and struggle
through this difficulty with the aim of lessening demand," he said. The military would co-operate with the Narcotics Control Board by turning
army camps into rehabilitation centres where teenagers can be treated and learn
self discipline. Gen Surayud said the army would provide doctors and medical personnel. "We
will co-operate in finding ways to tackle the problem and hope that these
youngsters will provide us with information about drug dealers," he added. The Irish Times, 18 March
2000 RIGHTS IN BURMA Sir, - Granting Aung San Suu Kyi the Freedom of the City of Dublin today
signals our recognition of the noble and courageous struggle of this
inspirational and rightful leader of the people of Burma.
Any such gesture that draws our attention to the repercussions of the brutal
regime under which the people of Burma exist must be welcomed.
However, when one considers the suffering of the people of Burma, it becomes
apparent that gestures such as fleeting media exposure and symbolic acts of
solidarity are not nearly enough. The democratic rights of the Burmese people
have been savagely suppressed over the last number of years. Several ethnic
groups within the country are being denied the very basic of human rights.
Hundreds of thousands of refugees have fled Burma to neighbouring countries.
These refugees are living in appalling conditions and are exposed to
exploitations of the most horrible nature. The list of atrocities is endless.
It is yet another indication of the lack of interest on the part of the
international community in the lives of those in greatest need that such
suffering and injustice in Burma is permitted to continue unabated.
The Irish people can do more to right this terrible wrong and my colleagues
and I would encourage the Government to use its influence in the international
arena to convince the international community of its obligations to the
oppressed of Burma.
Aung San Suu Kyi has been an inspiration to her people - but she cannot
conquer the formidable obstacle of oppression alone. - Yours, etc.,
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