Myanmar delays 'drug-free' campaign | Bangkok Post: news

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Shan State still not a drug-free zone

SHAN STATE, Myanmar - Sai, 28, rarely leaves home without two ballpoint pens tucked inside his denim jacket, although he never uses them for writing.

As in Thailand and most countries, the annual burning of all seized illicit drugs in Myanmar's Shan State is more of a propaganda event than a serious step to drug eradication. (epa photo by Nyein Chan Naing)

The pens are packed with 0.4cm-wide pills of methamphetamine, or amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS). In Thailand, the pills have long been called ya baa, or crazy medicine, but in the Shan State, residents still use the old term yaa ma, locally called YaMa, or horse drug, for the brand logo of a horse on the most popular version of the "diet pills" then sold in Thai pharmacies.

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Your comments

  • Discussion 3 : 18 Feb 2013 at 13.033

    Why is everybody fading away in this forum when this topic is on the table.

    Now lets step aside the horrific events that happend to my own family when crushed in a drug crazed neighborhood
    NO lets direct everybody who STILL thinks after watching the MIRACLE channel on Thai tv with loads of gruesome examples of madness caused by these Crazy drugs that we should legalize this madness.
    I am NOT warning for body parts, boutchered children, smashed skulls and dead families.

    have a look and read this story again!!!

  • Discussion 2 : 18 Feb 2013 at 07.032

    The drug trade is there for the hill-tribe armies to take advantage of to fund their campaigns, but it is doubtful ceasefire agreements will impact the drug trade. There is just too much easy money to be made. And too many powerful people involved.

  • Discussion 1 : 17 Feb 2013 at 13.481

    What can i do, i am poor and need to feed myself first.
    Plenty of costumers whom pay between 170 - 700 bath per pill were the average wage is 60 bath a day.
    rocket science dealer this one is, but its all in the business , now isn't it
    never mind, there are plenry of drug addicts here, he is stated,so he must be making enough?

    what can i do, i am discriminated and need the money to defend my people, ok?
    by the way,lucky we live next door to thailand, the land of the plenty (new addicts)!!!!!!!!

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