In the tumultous age and time we live in, the lives of many youth are being ruined in myriad ways. The global situation being on a downslide day by day is making matters worse. It is up to us to come up with ways on how we can reach out and help the hapless youth, under a despotic military regime and also deal with inadequacies in the fields of education, health, economics, and politics in the country.
In Kachin State, year after year there has been an increase in the number of drug-addicts. Some of their parents are of the opinion that one of the reasons which make them take drugs is unemployment. It is very difficult to find a job and a few young men from rich families would rather spend money on drugs than sitting at home and doing nothing.
We must take note of how serious this drug-addiction is and whether it has spread inside the territory of the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC).
"There is already some serious impact and drug abuse has been taking place not only now but also in the past," Nhkum Tang Gun, Youth Leader of KBC said.
He continued that in the past it only affected youth in Phakant (Jade Land) and on the China-Myanmar Border. However, the impact has spread even to the Church community and especially in the university campus. People must be alert for it is going to pose a serious problem in Kachin society.
According to a resident, drug addicts among girls and boys are just about equal and nowadays it has become a fashion for them to be hooked to drugs.
The four main drugs such as heroin, Yaba also called methamphetamine; a modified opium called Formula and opium are available in abundance in Kachin State. However, the majority of drug users are addicted to heroin, according to local sources.
Heroin made its presence felt in Kachin State from Shan State with the help of corrupt officials of the military junta's agencies including the police, special narcotic police, military and military affairs security unit (Sa-Ya-Pha), a local source added.
"Recently, according to a survey of KBC youth, there are many young people, who are addicted to drugs. It is said that most of the university students are solidly addicted and indulge in drug abuse. Moreover, it is stated that AIDS victims are found in almost every quarter of Church territories," Nhkum Tang Gun added.
On the other hand, most young women spend their time in the night clubs where they earn a livelihood.
There are a number of women, especially ethnic Kachin women, who frequent the 'Northern Star Night Club' in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State in northern Burma, to find clients and earn easy money every night, a resident in Myitkyina said.
"Fees are earmarked for the women by the club authorities. Almost all the women drink whisky to enjoy themselves," a resident told KNG. "Women, who do not get clients in the club, go to the night shops and wait for prospective customers. This is how they earn money," a resident added.
"To initiate a rescue and rehabilitation programme for these young people, a lot of support is needed in terms of money, volunteering and understanding from our society. Only after that all these simultaneous activities can be done in the near future," Nhkum Tang Gun told KNG.
"Actually it has been our Church community's primary concern to help those who are in need of help. However, when there comes a time or an event there has always been financial problems and on the other hand the technicalities are not sufficient and ineffective," h added.
Moreover, we have been trying to work together with different NGOs and have tried to find proper solutions; however, there have been very hard times while working given the unstable condition in Kachin State. One thing is for sure that we both are trying out best so that we can reach out far and help them, added Nhkum Tang Gun.
The problem has already occurred and if there is no cure or solutions, it would lead to the death of many youths into drug addiction. The population is a very important factor from the point of view of politics as well. It is good to notice how important the power of the population is and how it can strengthen our society in the real world, a local Kachin leader said.
Now our capabilities are very limited and weak in every field compared to other societies, and if there is no improvement or development in the near future, we would be left by the wayside. The negative impact on the youth has had a devastating effect on our small community as well, he added.
Ring Aung is a staff reporter of Kachin News Group (KNG).
