The number of drug users and dealers arrested by NMSP rises dramatically

March 18, 2015

In the less than two weeks that the New Mon State Party has been running its anti-drug operation, from March 4-16th, 2015, the party has arrested 60 drug users and dealers from Mudon Township, Mon State, according to Nai Banyar Lell, Moulmein District’s NMSP Chairperson.

The NMSP detained those arrested in the party’s Moulmein District compound, placing a burden upon the party to house and feed the detained individuals.

“Up to March 16, 2015, we’ve arrested more than 60 drug users and dealers. Our anti-drug operation started on March 4th (the full-moon day of Phor Ra Gon), and we’re still in operation. [As we looked at the number of people we arrested], almost all the young people are addicted to drugs. We don’t know how many drug addicts are in the villages. Our Mon youth have degenerated.

“We already knew that they have been using drugs in Pu Lane Village, and that an armed group has been selling the drugs. We don’t go to the village to arrest the users and dealers because we’re afraid of armed conflict,” explained Nai Banyar Lell.

According to the chairperson, the NMSP detained the drug abusers as criminals, and classified them into two groups; drug users and dealers. The drug users are to be educated about the dangers of drug use and ordered to attend in social activities in Moulmein District. The drug dealers, however, must be punished in accordance with the drug laws imposed by the NMSP.

“The party has already announced its procedure related to drug abuse and gambling. I will accelerate our operation to fight against drug use and gambling. We can run our operation in every area controlled by the NMSP, but we have to send an official letter to the local police force in government-controlled areas [before running our operation in those areas]. If the police doesn’t take any action after our report, we will start our operation anyhow,” continued Nai Banyar Lell.
“The situation is getting worse and if we do nothing, our generation will degenerate very soon. Therefore, we have to launch [this] anti-drug operation,” stated the chairman.

According to HURFOM data, drug addiction affects 55% of the youth in Mudon Township, 50% of the youth in Thanbyuzayat Township, 45% of the youth in Lamine Sub-Township, 40% of the youth in Ye Township, 35% of the youth in Kyiakmayaw Township, 30% of the youth in Chaungzone Township, and 10% of the youth in Paung Township. These populations use a range of drugs, including marijuana, opium, heroin, crystal methamphetamine and tranquilizers.

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