2024-11-23 17:00:00
Displaced people working in illegal poppy fields to earn a living during fighting between the Myanmar military and the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) in Moe Bye in Pekon township, on the border of Karen State and southern Shan State. February 26, 2024 STR / AFP
The instability in Burma since the coup d’état of February 2021 and the expansion of the civil war have favored an increase in the production of opium, but also of synthetic drugs: Burma is at the heart of a new boom of crime in the Golden Triangle, this contiguous region between Burma, Laos and Thailand crossed by the Mekong River for nearly 100 kilometers.
Covid, then the coup d’état of 2021, both generating greater uncertainty for farmers, and finally, in Afghanistan, the strict ban by the Taliban on poppy cultivation in April 2022 contributed to the return of Burma at the forefront in terms of drug production: the country once again became the leading producer of opium in 2022, while reversing for the second year in a row the downward trend recorded since 2013. This was favored by the democratization of the country and an economic boom fueled by the influx of foreign investments.
This article is taken from “Special Issue Le Monde – Drug traffickers: their networks, their crimes, the response”November-December 2024, on sale at kiosks or online by going to on our store website.
In 2023, estimated cultivated areas increased by a further 18% compared to 2022, according to the report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) of December 2023. Dry opium production is estimated at 1,080 tonnes, or 36% more than in 2022 – and just 20 tonnes short of the historic record of 2001 (1,100 tonnes). tons). The gross value of the entire opiate economy – including both the value of domestic consumption and exports of opium and heroin – in Burma in 2023 is estimated in this report to be between 1 and 2, $5 billion, or approximately 2% to 4% of national GDP in 2022. UNODC experts, based in Bangkok, use satellite images as well as on-site inspections to arrive at these estimates.
Many clandestine laboratories
The majority of opium production, 88%, is concentrated in Shan State, the largest and most populous, with nearly six million inhabitants, of the seven Burmese states which form the multi-ethnic crown of the country. This is also where the majority of synthetic drugs from South-East Asia come from, which in turn irrigate all of Asia: drug seizures, the only way to measure the extent of this production dispersed in laboratories, reached a record in 2023; 169 tonnes of methamphetamine were seized in South-East Asia in 2023, and three quarters in Burma, Thailand and Laos, out of a total of 190 tonnes discovered in Asia. Shan State “remains the epicenter of methamphetamine production” for Asia, saysUNODCnoting that “However, the Burmese authorities have not identified any significant methamphetamine manufacturing facilities there since April 2020”.
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How has the geopolitical situation in Afghanistan impacted opium cultivation trends in Myanmar?
**Interview: The Growing Crisis of Opium Production in Myanmar**
**Host:** Welcome to our special segment on current global issues. Today, we are exploring the alarming rise in opium production in Myanmar, driven by ongoing instability and conflict. Joining us is Dr. Emily Carter, a researcher specializing in Southeast Asian drug policies and their socioeconomic impacts. Thank you for being here, Dr. Carter.
**Dr. Carter:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** The recent reports indicate that Myanmar has overtaken Afghanistan as the world’s leading opium producer. Can you explain the factors contributing to this shift?
**Dr. Carter:** Absolutely. The coup in February 2021 significantly destabilized Myanmar, leading to increased violence and displacement. Many people find themselves in desperate situations, which unfortunately drives some to engage in illegal activities like poppy cultivation to survive. Literally, displaced communities are turning to opium production as a means of subsistence amidst the chaos of war, particularly in areas like Moe Bye, where clashes are frequent [[1](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67688413)].
**Host:** That’s heartbreaking. You mentioned the civil conflict; how has the broader geopolitical landscape influenced this situation?
**Dr. Carter:** The situation in Afghanistan has had a considerable ripple effect. The Taliban’s ban on poppy cultivation in 2022 allowed Myanmar to step back into the spotlight as a major opium producer. With the economic uncertainty exacerbated by COVID-19 and the political turmoil in Myanmar, more farmers are being driven to cultivate opium [[1](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67688413)].
**Host:** The numbers from the UNODC show a staggering increase in opium cultivation—an 18% rise in 2023 alone! What does this mean for the region and beyond?
**Dr. Carter:** It paints a dire picture. The continuous increase in opium cultivation not only perpetuates a cycle of poverty and violence but also poses a significant public health threat, as the region is already struggling with the consequences of drug addiction and trafficking routes that extend far beyond Myanmar. With an estimated 1,080 tonnes produced in 2023, we are near historical highs—only 20 tonnes short of the record set in 2001 [[1](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67688413)].
**Host:** So, what can be done to address this crisis?
**Dr. Carter:** Solutions need to be multifaceted. International cooperation must focus on conflict resolution to stabilize Myanmar politically and economically. Additionally, we must explore sustainable agricultural alternatives for farmers, providing them with viable income options beyond opium. enhancing law enforcement and community-based drug rehabilitation programs will be essential in combating the drug trade.
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Carter, for your insights. It’s crucial that we highlight these issues and discuss potential solutions.
**Dr. Carter:** Thank you for bringing attention to this critical topic.
**Host:** That wraps up our segment for today. Stay informed, and let’s continue to advocate for change in areas affected by conflict and economic despair.
