ADVISORY COMMISSION ON RAKHINE STATE DRUGS Drug trafficking through Rakhine – typically following the route from eastern Myanmar, via Maungdaw and Buthidaung, to Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh – seems to have increased significantly in recent years. In 2016, enormous quantities of drugs (mainly methamphetamine, or “yaba”) were confiscated by Myanmar officials along the border with Bangladesh. During the Commission’s visits to Rakhine State, people from all communities expressed serious concern about the growing problem – which significantly increases their vulnerability. Poverty and poor social services may serve as important drivers encouraging people to engage in drugs-related crime, or to use drugs themselves. Drugs production and trafficking have fuelled violent conflict in Myanmar for many years. Also in Rakhine, drug smuggling is reportedly funding the activities of non-state armed groups, such as the Arakan Army (AA) and the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA). Even government officials are accused of facilitating drug trade, which further contributes to the sense of lawlessness along the border with Bangladesh. The challenges posed by the trafficking and consumption of illicit drugs in Rakhine State are growing and warrant urgent national attention. The Commission therefore encourages the ongoing policy discussions as well as the debate on changes to the 1993 law on drugs and psychotropic substances. Recommendations: 47. The Government of Myanmar should adopt a holistic anti-drugs approach based on public health, community safety, human rights and development. As illegal activities tend to thrive in areas of conflict, the Government should strive towards the social, economic and political inclusion of the Muslim community in northern Rakhine State. As such, the Government should seek to increase access to public services, and increase livelihood opportunities by removing restrictions on movement. 48. The Government should strengthen health and harm reduction services for drug users, and ensure that the use of such services is voluntary. 49. The Government should intensify its efforts to combat corruption within the security agencies operating along the Myanmar-Bangladeshi border. 50. In its law enforcement efforts, the Government should not only focus on users or low-level dealers, but rather concentrate its efforts on identifying and prosecuting major producers and drug barons. FINAL REPORT 45