“The parents send their children to our bases to handle their situations and rehabilitate them. We also have arrested some [drug users and dealers]. The parents [also] bring their children here to rehabilitate their mental situations. Now, in our base, we have more than 10 young guys [for rehabilitation],” said Nai Aung Ma-ngae, chairman of the Tavoy District NMSP.
Nai Aung Ma-ngae states that young drug users enrolled in the NMSP anti-drug rehabilitation process would be given leniency punishments of 1-2 months, while offenders work to handle their addictions during this time period, then to be released or released on bail bonds.
During 2014, the NMSP has released over 200 Mon youths after completing rehabilitation at respective NMSP districts or bases, according to Min Thura Htay, vice-office manager of NMSP headquarters.
“Some parents provide finance and other support needed for their children’s rehabilitation. This [drug issue] has taken place considerably in [the] Mon community. [Parents] bring their children to our bases for rehabilitation when they cannot handle their situations. But, with their self-awareness, some youths come by themselves to our bases to get rehabilitated,” explained Min Thura Htay.
Min Thura Htay says that, at the moment, there are about 20 youths from Three Pagodas Pass and Ye-chaung-pyar areas held in detention at NMSP headquarters.
During its 2013-2014 anti-drug campaign, the NMSP has handled 40 cases of drug trafficking, drug purchases for self-consumption, and drug dealing wherein individuals store drugs with intent to sell, according to Nai Aung Ma-ngae.
According to a document of “Youths and Drugs” submitted at a recent Mon Youth Conference, more than 60% of Mon State youths use drugs, mainly Yaba, which is a combination of methamphetamine and caffeine, and marijuana.
The NMSP plans to open two rehabilitation centers at its Moulmein District and Tavoy District bases, in order to provide rehabilitation for the substantial numbers of youth drug users.
The NMSP is in discussions with international donors to open these rehabilitation centers, and hopes to open the centers in early 2015, according to Nai Aye Mon, an executive committee member in charge of NMSP’s Foreign Affairs Department.
“EBO would provide for one center, and that center will be open at Moulmein District. UNDP has discussed to provide for one center [as well], and we plan to open this center at Tavoy District,” said Nai Aye Mon.
The NMSP drafted its laws on anti-drug and drug protection at its central committee meeting last April.
