A/HRC/43/59 accused the Tatmadaw of using drugs as a weapon against their communities, and suspect drugs are promoted to Kachin youth to distract them from political activism.34 In Kayin and Kayah States local people have been reporting their concerns over rising drug use in recent years. They report that yaba in particular is being widely used by many children, students and men, as it is not difficult to buy. In Hlaingbwe Township in Hpa-an District, Kayin State, high school students reportedly know how to use these drugs and are already addicted to them,35 and there are four BGF battalions present in Hlaingbwe Township.36 According to a community member from southeast Kayin State, “The methamphetamine drugs came from the organizations [armed groups], then [they] spread it to the civilians.”37 A mobile health worker described their sense of helplessness in the face of rising drug addiction, “We cannot solve the problem. Only the leaders of the armed groups can set up the rules and prohibit people from using drugs. It really affects our development. The young people do not have interest in the other things [education, etc.] anymore. It is like people stole and destroyed our future.”38 It is challenging to obtain information on rates of drug use and addiction in Rakhine State. However, according to testimony of Rohingya living in displacement camps in Sittwe since 2012, a yaba pill costs only 200–300 Kyats (which is about 0.13 to 0.20 USD) and this is cheaper than food. Drug dealers reportedly distributed free samples when the camps were set up by the Tatmadaw and State authorities in 2012. Since then, yaba is widely available in the camps, and many Rohingya are addicted. C. Government response The Tatmadaw also has significant influence over the central Government response to illicit drugs, as the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control is part of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Narcotic Drugs Act and Psychotropic Substances Law 1993 has for years been used to target opium farmers, small-scale dealers and drug users, rather than those responsible for large-scale drug production and supply. In 2018, Myanmar released its National Drug Control Policy, which was developed by the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control after extensive consultation with UNODC. The Policy focuses on harm reduction, prioritising public health approaches for users and refocusing law enforcement and criminal justice efforts toward combating organised crime and corruption. However, amendments to the Narcotic Drugs Act and Psychotropic Substances Law 1993 were enacted shortly after and retain a focus on criminal penalties for those in possession of any quantity of drugs.39 The National Drug Control Policy states that in 2016, 48% of Myanmar’s 60,000– 80,000 prisoners were detained for drug-related offences, with the percentage of drugrelated offenders as high as 70–80 per cent in some prisons (such as in Myitkyina, Kachin State, and Lashio, Shan State). 40 Imprisoning drug users exacerbates issues of drug addiction, as drug use rates in prison are high, and once imprisoned users are unable to access rehabilitation services. At the same time, the militia running and profiting from the illicit drug industry operate with impunity. 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 28 KWAT, 2014. Interview KHRG #15-83-A2-I1, Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), 2015. Buchanan, 2016. For more information see “Growing drug use and its consequences in Dooplaya and Hpa an districts” KHRG, 2015. Interview KHRG #14-63-A3-I1, KHRG, 2014. ICG, 2019. The National Drug Control Policy, developed by the Myanmar Police Force (MPF) Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC), the Ministry of Home Affairs, with support from the UNODC Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific and Country Office for Myanmar.