18 June, 2008 - Published 18:00 GMT

Have Your Say: Celebs and drugs

Some Burmese celebrities are allegedly using drugs. Many Burmese say drug abuse is also observed among the young people.

Recently, some celebrities have been reportedly questioned by authorities in what many believe as an attempt to control the use of drugs.

How widespread is the drugs abuse in Burma?

Why do the young people become drug-addicts?

What is the root cause of the problem?

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The followings reflect the balance of opinions received so far...

Boredom is probably one of the main reasons young people getting into drugs. It is actually quite expensive to buy drugs because the government makes them illegal which means drug dealers can become quite profitable by taking risk selling these illegal drugs. I do not know if there is a positive linkage between poverty and drug use. However, certainly poor people in Burma who are working daily trying to provide food for their family cannot afford to buy drugs. Only young people born into a rich family and high-income people like spoiled celebrities can afford to do drugs. The rich in Burma are getting richer and can afford to do drugs while the majority of the poor are getting poorer because the morally bankrupt and ignorant rich military elite rule them.
Aung Myint, USA

As you may already know in our country, most young people do not have jobs and they do not have future. So, one easy way out is to do drugs which may relief them of pain and sufferings for a while but with deadly consequences. Now unemployment rate is so high in our country, some people, especially military sons and daughters, who may think they are above law, may find it easy to sell drugs to make a living. We are in a cycle of selling and buying drugs destroying our own society. Should we blame the drug users? Sellers? Alternatively, the government for creating this social turmoil unintentionally? There is simply no easy answer. However, thanks to high unemployment rate, drug businesses may be booming in Burma.
Adam Win, Thailand

Drug abuse is not only problematic in Burma but throughout the world. Many people may become drug-addicts because of economic hardships - it is easy to live in a fantasy world under the influence of drugs rather than facing daily difficulties. I do not want to relate this to the politics. However, in the case of Burma it is true. There is simply too much government intervention on local economy. Just look at cyclone aids, donors have to go through checkpoints after checkpoints. Burmese economy is just like that, businessman has also to go through obstacles after obstacles. Therefore Burmese economy suffers tremendously. That is why people resort to drugs to help ease their hardships.
Naing Oo, USA

Drug kingpins, generals- Ne Win to Than Shwe, users in West -all in a merry-go-round; kingpins tired of drug dealing can bribe generals for safe haven. Celebes are only few rich fools in this & no harsh penalty for young addicts-Burma, world's largest source, means complete heaven. Well, the root cause again-the generals; drug-dollar had backed them up from '88 (near collapse) until now. Who is going to cry anyway for Celebes?
Aung Myint Oo, Singapore

This is none of our business. Many celebrities around the world and countless young people are using drugs. If you care your own life, then stay away from drugs.
Salai Liandang USA

For young kids I believe is the influence and the environment where they are brought up in. When we look at celebrities most of them do not have the Natural happiness, which they loose trying to be famous, and so they try to find happiness from different angle and so they end up to Drugs.
Anne Gichaga, U.A.E

Most celebrities are entertainers. While entertaining others, they can still be lonely and feel empty in life. Finally, they are entertained by drug. Therefore, Burmese celebrities or celebrities from other side of the world alike may end up consuming drug to fulfil their empty life. I do not blame them at all because the world they are living is a different world. It is a normal thing among these people. Deep loneliness can cause use of drug.
Zam Mang, USA

Mostly young people have no opportunities to get jobs and they spend their time with drugs. Drugs abuse of young people in Myanmar cause by government.
Khin Tun, Myanmar

It is undeniable that Burmese young people are starting addicted to drug as early as in their high school interval. Young people at this age are not developed enough (especially in Myanmar) to know the cause of drugs. Their knowledges are very limited. As far as they are concerned, they do not consider drugs seriously as if they do not use needle. They are more afraid of AIDS than to become drug-addicts. As it was always being the case - tablets, cigarettes and alcohols are not strangers for young people. Poor thing, government do not pay attention on these young people as valuable assets of our country.
Kyaw D, Singapore

Very clearly, why do celebrities in US do drugs? Major Depressive Disorder is a serious mental disorder which 90% of Americans suffers. It is treatable if you have an insight to see a Psychiatrist and appropriate antidepressant. Some may be Bipolar Disorder with mood swings and do not know how to deal with it without the help of Psychiatrist. Very common illness. However, many people in the society look at you as if weird, they feel ashamed to come to Psychiatrist, and self medicates with street drugs. E.g., speed, cocaine can help with the mood swings of Bipolar Disorder and as time goes by, they got addicted to it. Celebrities are people like you and me too. Some used because they could not handle success. These pts need to do Psychotherapy in addition to attending AA meetings, Narcotic anonymous meetings and obtained a sponsor.
Ni Ni Swe, USA

Like Singapore, implement Death penalty for drug dealer and drug users. Not only celebrities, all drug related issues will be minimized and then eliminated. We are to be toughie, not softie.
T T G Princess, Melbourne