Background History of Myanmar Drug Elimination Museum

Narcotic Drugs is a very potent weapon of the colonialist. The narcotic drugs were used to destroy the social and the potential of human resources is evident if we study historical facts. The Dutch and Roman merchants distributed, sold and introduced opium into Myanmar through India since in the 16 century. More over in 1824, the colonialists, opened up licensed opium dens in Rakhine and Taninthayi regions of Myanmar with a vile aim to subjugate and destroy the spirit of patriotism and nationalism of Myanmar people who are deeply attached to their rich cultural traditions and to perpetuate the mechanism of colonialism, the narcotic drug “opium” was extensively introduced into Myanmar for cultivation, production, and consumption using every available means.

The Cultivation and production of opium at the border areas became into being, thrived and became rooted because of the ulterior motives of the colonialist. The national races have endured the evil consequences associated with opium for over a century. At the present time the people of the whole world are being confronted with the dreadful menace of narcotic drugs which is devastating the human race.

The citizens of Myanmar have designated the elimination of narcotic drugs as a national responsibility and are accordingly striving with accelerated momentum for the total elimination of narcotic drugs from the surface of Myanmar and the whole world. Moreover the development of border areas and the enhancement of the socil-economic conditions of the national races and the eradication of opium poppy cultivation and production is being implemented with might and main. For elimina- tions of narcotic drugs the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar has laid down and has been implementing the plans according to schedule.

The Museum has been constructed so that the people of the Country become aware of the danger of narcotic durgs, by personally observing the danger of narcotic drugs that nip the very bud of the human race, and there by avoid and shun narcotic drugs. For the international community to know and recognize the tasks have been carried out during the different periods for the elimination of narcotic drugs.

The Objective of Constructing of the Museum

The main objective of the constructing and opening of the Museum is that for the people including the youths who come to visit and observe the displays would become aware, learn a lesson and avoid the terrifying dangers and sufferings associated with drug abuse and to symbolize the commitment of Myanmar to eliminate the danger of narcotic drugs.

Location

The Myanmar Narcotic Drugs Elimination Museum is situated on 15.11 acres of land, at the corner of Hanthawady and Kyundaw Roads in Kamaryut Twonship, Yangon, Myanmar.

The Museum including the ground floor is a (4) stored building, the exhibits display booths construction tasks were started in April 2001 and completed an 15 June 2001.

The Stone Plaque Inscription

The Museum Commemorating the Elimination of Narcotic Drugs in Myanmar has been constructed and inaugurated, so that future generation youths become aware of the objectives in opening of the successive governments of the Union of Myanmar in fighting narcotic drugs, accordingly a Stone Plaque Inscription has been installed. The Stone Plaque Inscription is shown in front of the museum.

The Inauguration of the Museum.

As the Myanmar Drugs Elimination Commemoration Museum of international standard had been built, the inauguration ceremony was held and unveiled the stone-plaque on the 6 waxing day of the month of Warso Myanmar era 1363 (26 June 2001) at the auspicious hour 08:10.

Museum Commemorating the Elimination of Narcotic Drugs in Myanmar Inscription

1. Narcotic drugs had been an effective and powerful weapon of colonialists. History bears testimony that it had been effectively utilized in destroying the social fabrics of human societies and human resources. In the 16th century, opium was imported into Myanmar through India by the Dutch and Roman merchants to be distributed and sold in the country. Moreover, in 1824, the colonialists opened up licensed opium dens in Rakhine and Taninthayi regions of Myanmar. With a vile aim to subjugate and destroy the spirit of patriotism and nationalism of the Myanmar People who are deeply attached to their rich cultural traditions and to perpetuate the mechanism of colonialism, the narcotic drug  “opium”  was extensively introduced into Myanmar for cultivation, production, and consumption using every available means.

2. Due to the instigation of the colonialists, poppy cultivation and production became deeply rooted and subsequently proliferated along the border areas of Myanmar. For over a century, the national races had been the unfortunate victims suffering from the pernicious consequences of narcotic drugs. At present the whole mankind is facing an alarming situation posed by the grave and persistent threat  of this scourge of narcotic drugs on a global scale.

3. In order to ultimately wipe out the scourge of narcotic drugs not only from our country but also from the face of the whole world, Myanmar has been fighting against it comprehensively as a national duty with a stepped-up momentum. Moreover, concrete measures have been taken in the border areas to totally eliminate the cultivation of poppy and production of narcotic drugs and on the other hand measures have also been taken to enhance the social conditions of the national races.

4. Between 1975 and 1988, the Government formulated systematic plans to eradicate narcotic drugs and special operations  “Moe Hein Operation” phase 1 to 12, “Nga Ye Pan Operation” phase 1 to 8, “Taung Yan Shin Operation” phase 1 to 4 were launched by the military, while on the other hand, local operations like “ Mey Lone”, “Hnin Pan”, “Pauk Pan”, “Taung Hteik Pan”, and “Han Marn Oo” were also undertaken hand in hand with the local populace, sacrificing blood, sweat and lives. At present also, a 15-year Drug Elimination Plan (1999 to 2014) has been drawn and being actively implemented by the people and the Government.

5. To commemorate the elimination of narcotic drugs, this museum was built under the guidance of Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, with the objective of enabling the entire people of the country to see and learn for themselves that narcotic drugs are a dreadful menace to the whole mankind and thus to abstain from drugs and also to inform the international community of the all-out efforts undertaken by the successive Governments of Myanmar to eradicate drugs in  its true perspective.

6. The primary aim of this museum is to enable the entire people including youths and national races who visit this museum to become fully aware of the pernicious effects and adverse consequences of narcotic drugs, to learn lessons and to finally abstain from narcotic drugs.

7. On the second Waxing Day of War Gaung of the Myanmar Era 1360 (25 July 1998), Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, Secretary (1) of the State Peace and Development Council laid the foundation stone for the construction of this commemorative museum on a grand scale. The construction of the museum has been successfully completed and as such, on the auspicious day of the Myanmar Era 1363, the sixth Waxing Day of the First Waso (26 June 2001), Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, Secretary (1) of the State Peace and Development Council, graciously inaugurated the museum with an inscriptive record to mark the occasion.