The Myanmar Government is undertaking measures to tackle the production, trafficking and use of illicit drugs occurring across the country. As the primary source of poppy cultivation and producer of opium in the region, the drug challenges facing the country are significant. Seefar is pleased to be working with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to develop recommendations towards the development of Myanmar’s drug control policy. The recommendations focus on four key policy areas:

• supply reduction and alternative development;
• treatment and harm reduction;
• international cooperation; and
• research and analysis.

These are underpinned by a focus on human rights. Representative of a shift from the government’s current approach, the recommendations reflect the need for a multi-faceted response to the drug situation in Myanmar. In addition to law enforcement and criminal justice efforts, the recommendations incorporate health and social policy responses, outline a path to promoting sustainable alternative development for opium farmers, and promote international cooperation.

The recommendations have been informed by a six-month consultation period convened by the Myanmar Ministry of Home Affairs, the Myanmar Police Force, the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC) and UNODC, with support from Seefar. Over 150 government and non-government stakeholders were involved and represented a wide range of sectors, including health and social care, law enforcement and civil society organisations. Seefar is proud to contribute to a raft of efforts currently underway in Myanmar to pave the way towards promoting a healthy and safe environment for the people of Myanmar.