Youth not interested in social affairs as a consequence of illicit drugs

November 3, 2023

HURFOM: Due to the political crisis in Burma, the use of illicit drugs in Mon State has risen sharply. Most youth in Mon State are addicted to illicit drugs and many are not interested in ethnic and social affairs, claimed a leader from a youth organization in Mon State.

“Most young people in the villages are addicted to drugs. It’s really difficult to organize them to join a youth organization,” said the leader.

The youth community in Mon State organized a “Mon Youth Forum” and there have been village/ward and township level organization efforts. However, drug addiction has become a barrier to organizing young people to join village/ward level initiatives.

“When organizing empowerment training or a meeting related to social or ethnic issues, it’s really difficult to get youth participation. It’s challenging to organize them to join us. Drug addiction has a huge impact on our advocacy process,” said a chief organizer from a youth team.

The use of illicit drugs has been increasing in Mon State each year, as well as drinking “Kratom-leaf liquor”, which is also part of Mon traditional culture in many villages.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News