China
09:51, 27-Jun-2017
Myanmar faces uphill battle against drugs
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Myanmar is facing a tough challenge to get rid of drugs as the Golden Triangle remains one of the main opium-producing areas in Asia.
Local forces in Myanmar have been fighting the drug problem, making progress slowly but steadily, reported CGTN.
The army has established headquarters Loi Tia Leng – a town in the mountainous region of southern Myanmar.
Commander-in-Chief Yawd Serk launched an anti-drug operation after taking over the area from warlord Khun Sa in 1996.
Khun was dubbed the "Opium King" due to his massive drug-smuggling operation out of the country.
Piles of seized drugs burnt during a ceremony to mark the UN's "International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking" in Yangon on June 26, 2015. /VCG Photo
Piles of seized drugs burnt during a ceremony to mark the UN's "International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking" in Yangon on June 26, 2015. /VCG Photo
Drug control officials said it was not easy to convince local farmers to stop planting opium.
The officials taught farmers ways to plant other cash crops, such as coffee beans, which would help fill their pockets.
Progress is obvious, but a more challenging obstacle in the fight against drugs is to figure out ways to make drug-producers more mobile and better equipped.