NCJ Number
160108
Date Published
1996
Length
159 pages
Annotation
The socioeconomic and political impact of drug production, trade, and use on Burma's people, economy, and international relations is examined, and ways to reduce the country's illicit drug problem are suggested.
Abstract
Burma is widely regarded as the world's largest producer of opium. Nonetheless, recent scholarly accounts of Burma distort the subject of opium in Burmese history. Economic studies of Burma also ignore the impact of the opium trade in the "Golden Triangle." In addition, the social and political context of the drug trade is significant in Burma, a country characterized by rebellion, warlords, smuggling, weakened social values, and drug use. Increased opium use is of concern to many Burmese because of the profound effect the drug has on people's lives, foreign relations, and the economy. The book explores drug use in British Burma, drug use in Independent Burma, contemporary socioeconomic conditions and problems, and national and international consequences of opium production and trade. Book chapters specifically focus on Burmese attitudes toward drugs, government drug policies, domestic drug use and the spread of AIDS, drug prevention and treatment, demand reduction, and foreign involvement with drug suppression in Burma. An appendix contains a partial history of drug control in Burma. 153 references, 2 tables, and 2 maps