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