A successful drug awareness campaign led by the Mon Community Development Organization held in Thingangyun village, Northern Ye Township, on January 11, will be expanded to other villages. 29 participants took part in the recent initiative.
Nai Htaw Rot, the Project Coordinator said, “…the day long event involved people who have used drugs. We became stronger [because] of their enthusiastic participation. Another of my goals is for drug users to be more involved in the community without being out of bounds. There will be more training. New people are encouraged to join for the next course.”
The initiative provides youth with an understanding of the legal implications of illicit drug use, and informs participants about different types of drugs and their impacts.
“We are very happy in our village to see such events. I now understand more about the law. There are people who use drugs…[we don’t want this problem to grow]. We welcome you to come to our village and conduct more training,” said Mi Pyone Khaing, Thingangyun villager.
Drug awareness campaigns continue to be a concern for ethnic parties. Officials with the Karen National Union (KNU) from Win Ye Township, and the New Mon State Party (NMSP) from Ye Township (North) held a meeting in Ye Township in mid-December 2020, focused on efforts to reduce drug use among local youth.
