Rangoon: City of Heroin (r)

[aung@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Attn: Burma Newsreaders
Re: Rangoon: City of Heroin
------------------------------------------------
=20
                       RANGOON: City of  Heroin

One day in downtown Rangoon, three young men walked into a restaurant and
ordered food. While the food was being prepared, one of them took out a
packet, emptied its contents on the table and divided the white power into
equal shares with a toothpick. They then bowed their heads to those small
heaps of power and inhaled it with one breath. Unpleasant scenes, such as
this one, are common sights in Rangoon these days.  Although it is difficul=
t
to estimate how many of the youths today are turning a blind eye to the dru=
g
usage among youths.=20

Rangoon is the capital of Burma where the State Law and Order Restoration
Council, SLORC, has its headquarters.  The city is swarming with military
intelligence agents and informers alike. It is difficult to believe that th=
e
SLORC does not know anything about the drug abuse.

Since  the universities were reopened in May 1991, after being shut down fo=
r
three years, the accessibility of drugs was clear.  Heroin could be bought =
at
two ministores on the Rangoon University campus.  These stores operate as
though they have legal permits to do so.  One store is located opposite the
Main University Library and the other one is in the canteen behind the arts
classrooms.

It is common knowledge that intelligence agents roam every nook and cranny =
of
the campus. They have always been quick to arrest anyone who dares to even
whisper anything against the SLORC. And since the drug distribution places
remain untouched, it is reasonable to assume that these places have officia=
l
blessings. In either case, the authorities are ignoring this critical
situation.

Heroin can also be bought openly at the Rangoon Institute of Technology, th=
e
Institute of Medicine, and in every township of Rangoon.  The situation has
gradually worsened since the military coup d'=E9tat of September 1988. The
SLORC is less threatened by people on drugs than by youths moved to politic=
al
action which will ensure democracy for the country.

Today, drug such as phensedyl, "upper-downer" pills, and marijuana are
difficult to find.  But, heroin is readily available and its usage has beco=
me
widespread in every area of Rangoon. Heroin remains the cheapest drug in
Burma since the SLORC came into power. A penicillin vial of heroin has a
street value of only 600 kyat or about U.S. $6. This dire situation is left
unchecked by the SLORC and is seriously threatening the lives of young peop=
le
in Burma.=20

The public policy, as determined by the SLORC, is that it is committed to t=
he
eradication of heroin.  The Burmese media, for instance, carries news stori=
es
and photographs of how the authority had been burning down heroin refinerie=
s
and razing poppy plantations in the border areas.  Despite such propaganda,
heroin usage and availability in the country has been increasing at  alarmi=
ng
rates.

Despite such a critical situation in the country, SLORC has managed to
manipulate international organizations, like the United Nations, the U.S.
Drug Enforcement Administration and other such groups. Funds, mobile units,
and equipment provided by these organizations are being used by the SLORC,
more to prolong their stay in power than to combat drug abuse. =20

Part of SLORC's propaganda is to take foreigners around to observe drug
rehabilitation efforts and drug eradication programs.  But so far there has
never been any serious effort on the part of the SLORC either to eradicate
poppy crops or to rehabilitate drug addicts. Without any long- term
commitment by SLORC, heroin will continue to flow freely in Burma and acros=
s
its borders into world markets.
----------------------------------- END=20

(The above article was written by a student from Burma, who does not want
to identify himself for now because of his security in the country.)

Action Call:  US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is contemplating=20
on the idea of resuming its aid to Burma to eradicate narcotics. It won't=
=20
solve the problem. Simply, because SLORC has never had an intention to=20
get rid of narcotics.  Even before 1988 uprising, DEA's cooperation with=20
Burmese military for over a decade had never been successful. SLORC just=20
plays games to get foreign aid.=20
                 We're afraid that DEA's assistance will encourage the
Burmese military to keep holding the illegitimate power and killing its own
ethnic people.=20
                    For our American friends, we strongly encourage you to
write a letter to the President Clinton and DEA officials. Your tax-payers'
money should not be given to notorious regime of Burma.

Peace and Justice,
Free Burma (freeburma@xxxxxxx)


Please send your letter to:
President Bill Clinton
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500

Drug Enforcement Administration
700 Army-Navy Drive
Arlington, VA 22202