Alarming rise in drug addiction among Arakanese youths

Salai Moe Aung, Narinjara News, 30 September 2024

Investigations reveal a significant increase in drug addiction among the youths in Arakan State of western Myanmar.

The ongoing fighting in the region has caused the school going young people to suffer from physical and psychological harm. Many have stopped attending the school and face job scarcity as well as unemployment. It leads them to turn to illegal drugs, said local residents.

"Most university students in Arakan State can’t attend classes due to the current turmoil situation. With no jobs on hand, they gather in the evening hours to drink alcohol and later go for consuming marijuana and other illegal items. We frequently see the marijuana and drugs with young people in rural areas," said a youth from Mrauk-U locality.

Drug users in Arakan State include teenagers, university students, and also adults aged 35 and above.

The teenagers primarily use marijuana, while the senior students and adults consume WY (methamphetamine) tablets.

"Many families seem to be unaware about the young people who are using drugs. Marijuana is popularly known as weed, which is now widely available in the Arakan region.  It is often mixed with cigarettes and consumed for smokes. Some groups are consuming drugs with the help of plastic bottles," said Ko Khaing Zaw Lin from Kyauktaw town.

The use of drugs is observed in urban and rural areas of the Arakan region. The teenagers and students can purchase drugs for Kyats 5,000 to 10,000.

The  drug-users are often found in dark places like under bridges, village cemeteries, forest areas and other abandoned buildings.

"In Arakan State, drug-related punishments remain very weak. When the individuals are arrested for selling drugs, they return to the  business after their release. There are different types of punishments for the sellers and consumers. Arresting and rehabilitating both the sellers and users will be more beneficial," said Ko Kaung, a young man from Minbya township.

He added that the increase in drug-users among young people is a matter of concern for the future of Arakan State.

The local authorities are being urged to take effective action against those involved in the illegal trades.

The Arakan Army (AA) continues to prioritize the public security issues and it will take actions to address the  problems, said  AA spokesman U Khaing Thukha during a press conference organised on 5 March 2022.