Why is it in the news?

• The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released a report “Southeast Asia Opium Survey 2023: Cultivation, Production and Implications”.

 Key Findings from UNODC Report

• Myanmar has surpassed Afghanistan as the world’s largest opium producer in 2023.
• Afghanistan, which held the position for several years, experienced a collapse in cultivation after the Taliban committed to ending illegal drug production.
• Opium farming in Southeast Asia is attributed to factors such as poverty, lack of government services, challenging economic environments, instability, and insecurity.

Reasons for Increased Production in Myanmar

• Northeastern Myanmar is situated in the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand meet, forming a significant opium-producing region.
• Myanmar’s central government has struggled to exert control over various ethnic minority militias, some of which are involved in the drug trade.
• Poor access to markets, deficient state infrastructure, and rampant inflation have played a significant role in farmers’ decisions to increase opium production.

Impact on India

• The surge in opium production can lead to an increase in the illegal drug trade and contribute to the growth of organized crime networks.
• Establishment of trafficking routes tends to elevate criminal activities and violence.
• The rise in opium production poses challenges for law enforcement agencies, requiring additional resources and efforts to combat illegal activities associated with the drug trade.
• Increased heroin production contributes to drug addiction and associated health problems.
• The spread of HIV/AIDS and other bloodborne diseases may escalate due to unsafe drug use practices.
• Drug trafficking linked to funding for terrorist activities poses a significant threat to national security.
• The prevalence of drug abuse can overwhelm existing healthcare facilities and rehabilitation centres, making it challenging to provide adequate treatment.

Opium Production in India

• Opium is derived from the sap in unripe poppy-seed pods, producing alkaloids that result in a range of narcotic and pharmaceutical drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine, morphine, and codeine.
• In India, approximately 1 lakh farmers across 22 districts in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh have licenses to cultivate opium.
• The majority of opium production comes from three districts bordering Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan — Mandsaur, Neemuch, and Chittorgarh — which collectively contribute 80% of India’s opium.

Way Forward

• The development of international accountability mechanisms and best practices would enhance interception capacity globally.
• Increased expert access to the dark web is essential for the takedown of online drug markets.
• Implementation of real-time data monitoring systems can promptly detect and address changes in the drug market.
• Dissemination of fact-based information is necessary to raise awareness about the potential harm from the non-medical use of cannabis.