China hasn't forgotten that tens of millions were junkies early in the century. Biochemistry being what it is, the simple fact of drugs being available is likely to produce a growing addiction crisis. When Lee Brown of the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy toured the region last June, several governments urged him to restart anti-narcotics cooperation with Burma. But the Burmese regime is still in the doghouse with Congress over its human rights record and the detention of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu yi. In any case, the old school, which sees U.S. and European consumers as the main drivers of the heroin trade, may be out of date.
Police suspect that pushers are trying to lock in a new clientele among upwardly mobile young users.
Asia's wealth is driving a big part of the business these days. And while the U.S. can help, China is the real key to Asia's developing drug crisis. The BurmaNet News is an electronic newspaper covering Burma. Articles from newspapers, magazines, the wire services, newsletters and the Internet are published as well as original material. Subscriptions are handled manually so please allow for a delay before your request is fielded.