Crops diminishing

Crops diminishing, but amount of drugs increasing

UNDCP official:

An informed source from Taunggyi told S.H.A.N. he met an official from the UN Drug Control Program who said the availability of drugs is on the rise just as crops in the project areas are disappearing.

"In the project areas, we see no poppy fields any more, but drugs seem to have become more available," he was reported to have told the source. 

The UNDCP has been introducing a crop substitution program called "Alternative Development Program" in the Shan State.

The source said the official did not elaborate on his laconic remark.

According to the New Light of Myamar, poppy acreage in Burma is dropping:

Local people, however, say poppy fields under the protection of the local authorities, are moving and extending outside the project areas.

"A Japanese official I met also agreed with the assessment of the UNDCP guy," said the source.