Press conference on destruction of poppy seeds, seized narcotic drugs, precursor chemicals and paraphernalia in Lashio, Laukkai
[ 8-6-2002 ]

Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control held a press conference on destruction of poppy seeds, seized narcotic drugs, precursor chemicals and paraphernalia in Lashio on 7 June and in Laukkai on 8 June at Maw Star Hotel in Lashio on 8 June.

     
CCDAC Joint-Secretary Police  Police Col Khan Aung meets journalists at the Press Conference.

Present were officials of Shan State (North) Committee for Drug Abuse Control, members of Task Force of eradication of poppy cultivation and regional development in Shan State (North), departmental officials, Director (News) U Hla Tun of News and Periodicals Enterprise and information officials, Secretary of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club U Nyunt Tin and correspon-dents and reporters from Myanmar Times. Joint Secretary of CCDAC Police Col Khan Aung explained holding of the press conference regarding destruction of poppy seeds, seized narcotic drugs, precursor chemicals and paraphernalia in Lashio and Laukkai.

Journalists could meet and ask departmental and CCDAC officials. In reply to queries raised by the journalists, officials from CCDAC, Shan State (North) Committee for Drug Abuse Control, Task Force of eradication of poppy cultivation and regional development in Shan State (North) said the list of farmers who handed over poppy seeds to the authorities township-and-village-wise was compiled. They also attended the destruction ceremonies in Lashio and Laukkai. The price of poppy seeds is K 500 per pyi. Out of over K 50 million funded by CCDAC for opium substitute cultivation, K 42.5 million was targeted for distribution of seeds in districts and townships.

Although the year 2005 was designated as an opium eradication year in Kokang, no poppy was grown beginning this year. U Phon Kyar Shin and officials assured that there will be no poppy in Kokang region by the year 2003. Maize seeds were distributed to those who handed over poppy seeds. Measures were undertaken for opium substitute cultivation, livestock breeding and industries. For anti-drug education activities drug elimination museums should be constructed in major cities of states and divisions.

Ceremonies to hand over poppy seeds to authorities and destruction took place in eastern, western and southern Shan State. The CCDAC will announce facts and figures about them. Former poppy cultivators are now working in industries, mining and gems mining.

The press conference ended at 6.40 pm.

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