Myanmar World’s Biggest Opium Producer

Context- The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has published the report “Southeast Asia Opium Survey 2023: Cultivation, Production and implications”.

Key Highlights 

• Myanmar is set to become the world’s largest producer of opium, surpassing Afghanistan in 2023. 
• In Afghanistan, which has been the world’s largest producer for several years, cultivation collapsed after  Taliban officials promised to end illegal drug production.  
• Opium cultivation in Southeast Asia is driven by poverty, lack of public services, a difficult macroeconomic environment, instability and insecurity.  

Reasons to increase production in Myanmar   

• Golden Triangle: Northeast Myanmar is part of the Golden Triangle where the borders of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand meet.  
• Lawlessness in border regions: Myanmar’s central government has  been unable to maintain the necessary control over various ethnic minorities, some of whom are partners in the drug trade.  
• Economic difficulties: Poor access to markets and government infrastructure, as well as rampant inflation, significantly affected farmers’ decisions to increase opium production.

The golden triangle  

• It covers areas of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand.  
• It is the most important opium-producing region in Southeast Asia and one of the oldest suppliers of the drug to Europe and North America. 

Golden Crescent

• This includes Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan.  
• It is the most important opium production and distribution center in the world. 

Implications for India   

• Drug trafficking and organized crime: This can lead to  illegal drug trade and contribute to the growth of organized crime networks. 
  • Once traffic routes are established, it escalates into crime and violence.  
• Challenges to Law Enforcement: Growing opium production presents challenges to law enforcement, requiring resources and efforts to combat illegal activities related to drug trafficking.
• Public health concerns: It increases the production of heroin, which contributes to drug addiction and related health problems.  
  • The spread of HIV/AIDS and other blood-borne diseases may increase due to the use of unsafe drugs. 
• Financing of terrorism: drug trade related to the financing of terrorist activities threatens the security of the country. 
• Overburdened treatment facilities: The prevalence of drug addiction can overwhelm existing health facilities and rehabilitation centers, making it difficult to provide adequate treatment.  

Opium   

• Opium comes from the juice of unripe poppy seeds.  
• The sap dries into a brown latex containing alkaloids that  produce many narcotics and drugs such as heroin, methamphetamine, morphine and codeine.   

Opium production in India   

• In India, there are about 100,000 farmers in 22 districts of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh who are authorized to grow opium. 
• Most of them come from the three border districts of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan – Mandsaur, Neemuch and Chittorgarh.  
• Together, these regions produce 80 percent of India’s opium.

Way Ahead

• International cooperation: The development of international accountability mechanisms and best practices would greatly increase the ability to intercept.  
• Global Surveillance: An Enhanced Expert Approach to the Dark Web to Destroy Online Markets and Platforms. Implement real-time data tracking systems to quickly identify and address changes in the pharmaceutical market. 
• Awareness: Evidence-based information is needed to raise awareness of the potential harms of non-medical cannabis use. 

Source: News on AIR

Practice question:

Q. The Golden Triangle and Golden Crescent are frequently seen in the news and are notorious for being associated with

1. Global Financial Centers
2. Environmental Conservation Efforts
3. Drug Trafficking Areas
4. Historical Archaeological Sites

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