United Nations/Burma Programme for Drug Abuse Control. The first phase: 1976 to 1981

The paper provides an outline of a wide-ranging drug abuse control programme undertaken by the Government of the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma with support and assistance from the United Nations. The components included law enforcement, crop substitution, measures for treatment and rehabilitation and a nationwide programme for drug education. The overall effort was co-ordinated by the Ministry of Home and Religious Affairs, through a Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control on which the Deputy Ministers of the Ministries concerned were members. Liaison between the executing Burmese agencies and the United Nations assisting organizations was effected through a small United Nations office established in Rangoon. The promising result of the programme has led to a further Agreement between the government and the United Nations for the continuation of the programme for a further five years from May 1981.