Management of Drugs Rehabilitation Strategies in Kachin State

This paper reports on a programme of qualitative research and ethnographic observation aiming to discover the nature of the management of rehabilitation of drug offenders in Kachin State in northern Myanmar. Although the growing and use of opium in Kachin State is a tradition of longstanding, it has recently reached unprecedented levels as its sale has become essential in prolonging the armed struggle for autonomy pursued by the Kachin Independence Army and which has considerable support in society. This results in a large number of drugs offenders. Are there opportunities for such people to be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society in a positive way? This is the central question of this study. It is found that currently rehabilitation programmes are largely successful and unpleasant. It is also found that they are mostly administered by religious bodies and it is likely to be through church-based networks that any change might be effected.