Sadao Non —The Department of Mental Health and Drug Addiction Treatment Center, run by the Mawlamyine public hospital, has seen nearly 1000 drug patients in the past year.

Dr. Win Kyaw Thu, who is in charge of the Treatment Center said “There were 1014 patients, which includes 280 new patients in 2018. The center accepted about 982 patients, including 234 new patients in 2019.

Annual intake numbers have not changed significantly, but there are challenges with providing care and related services.  Dr. Win Kyaw Thu noted there is no food service system, nor any skilled staff to attend to the patient’s specific treatment needs. Only regular staff and nurses are available.

“Some people have done drugs, got addicted, and they came here because they want to quit. Some are addicted to drugs and suffer from mental health. Some people came here to seek rehab for their anxiety. We provide treatment according to their conditions. There are also some violent people. They are admitted to the hospital because they could harm themselves,” Dr. Win Kyaw Thu added.

According to the hospital’s record, drug patients are predominantly male, only one percent of those seeking treatment are women.

The Mawlamyine Township Police Force and the Mon State Anti-Narcotics Association are financially supporting rehabilitation efforts and are not arresting drug addicts.

According to the Mon State Anti-Narcotics Association, more than 40 percent of young people have used drugs in Mon State.  Drug use is increasingly becoming common amongst those as young as 10 years old.