The Central Committee on the Prevention and Control of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Meeting 1/2025 was held yesterday at the Myanmar Police Headquarters. The meeting was chaired by Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung, with participation from the Anti-Corruption Commission, Myanmar Police, relevant ministries, and regional drug prevention officials via video conference.

Officials discussed global drug threats, citing UNODC data showing 316 million drug users worldwide in 2023, and highlighted how drug production and trafficking fuel cross-border crime, terrorism, and threaten national security. Myanmar faces increased drug production and trafficking by insurgent groups, with chemicals smuggled from abroad.

Authorities reviewed ongoing eradication efforts, including joint military, police, administrative, and local community operations to destroy poppy fields and prevent drug-related activities. Development programmes in Shan State villages continue alongside these efforts.

The meeting also addressed the rising use of e-cigarettes and vaping among youth, which can involve substances like etomidate, a psychoactive drug, requiring stricter monitoring and regulation.

Officials emphasized the need for stricter control of chemical imports, a single-port entry system, and enhanced coordination with neighbouring countries, ASEAN, and international agencies such as UNODC, AFP, DEA, NNCC, and ONCB to strengthen Myanmar’s drug prevention efforts. The committee reviewed ongoing initiatives and outlined future action plans to curb drug production, trafficking, and abuse.

MNA/KZL

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