Burma facing heroin explosion

[byva@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

Thursday, October 1, 1998 Published at 15:13 GMT 16:13 UK 

World: Asia-Pacific New report says
Burma facing heroin explosion 

A new report on the use and trafficking of heroin in Burma says there's
mounting evidence of the involvement of members of the ruling military
government in the illicit drugs trade. 

The report, released by the Southeast Asian Information Network, a
non-governmental organisation based in Thailand, says interviews
with drug dealers, traffickers and users in Burma consistently point to
military involvement in heroin distribution. 

It also alleges that several heroin refineries are located near army bases,
and that one is accessible only by military helicopter. 

The report says Burma is facing what it calls devastating epidemics of heroin
addiction and HIV infection, with the HIV virus spreading rapidly from drug
users into the wider population. 

>From the newsroom of the BBC World Service

____________________________________________________________________
More than just email--Get your FREE Netscape WebMail account today at http://home.netscape.com/netcenter/mail