Myanmar hosted the 44th ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Drug Matter and Its Related Meeting (ASOD) via videoconferencing yesterday.
At the meeting, Secretary of Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Chief of Myanmar Police Force Maj-Gen Zin Min Htet said the drug problems become more complex according to the developing condition and innovative techniques today. The illicit drug trafficking and smuggling are the most dangerous cases in every world country in addition to ASEAN countries. The changes of production, transportation and ways for drugs cause challenges in combating these processes. The manmade drug consumption is also high and the new drugs like Happy Water are also can be seen in various forms.
Moreover, Myanmar is conducting systematic and special operations by reviewing the changes in drug production and transportation. The Operation 1511/22 jointly conducted by Laos, Myanmar and Thailand in 2022 was successful. Currently, the Operation 39 for combating drugs and precursor was also launched from 1 February and 31 July across the nation.
Then, he mentioned that it was necessary to share information among ASEAN countries in a timely manner and cooperate in combating drugs without any political interference.
Then, Malaysian ASOD leader who led 43rd ASOD meeting handed over the duty of patron for the 44th ASOD meeting to Police Brig-Gen Win Naing.
The delegations led by Police Brig-Gen Win Naing, Joint Secretary of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control and Commander of the Drug Enforcement Division, ASOD leaders of ASEAN, ASEAN Secretary-General Office, UNODC and AFP discussed the anti-drug activities, cooperation, completed works, preparation to hold ASEAN ministerial meeting on drugs, activities as member of Commission on Narcotic Drug (CND), statement to be submitted to the 67th CND meeting and holding of the 45th ASOD meeting.
On 5 July, the five working groups of the 44th ASOD such as Preventive Education, Treatment and Rehabilitation, Law Enforcement, Research, and Alternative Development held meetings and were attended by representatives of 10 ASEAN countries.
The meeting discussed the educating programmes on dangers of drugs, medical treatment to drug addicts, integration and other matters.
The representatives of ASEAN countries and partner countries such as China, India, Korea, Russia, UNODC and AFP attended the 44th ASOD meeting that will be held until 7 July. — MNA/KTZH
