“Helping instead of criminalising is the most effective way to get people away from drugs.”

I learned a lot from this visit. Oppression to drug users is not a good way to control drug-related problems. I also discovered that drug addiction can be reduced by accepting it as a chronic illness like other diseases in society. I felt that public awareness should be promoted since drug-related problems cannot be solved by individual effort.

I have the impression that the basic principle of prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services were found to be similar with Myanmar, but they are way more advanced and integrated in Germany. Law enforcement agencies, health professionals, social workers and self-help groups address problems from their own perspective but work together in an integrated manner. I was surprised by the fact that treatment services are available 24/7 and are closely supervised by specialists and doctors.

Since the Government is responsible for accommodation and medical support in prison it costs a lot to arrest and keep drug users in prison. Having that in mind, it has more advantages to help drug users to be able to stop using drugs then to arrest them. Once they no longer use drugs, they can get job opportunities to make a living. Therefore, helping is the effective way, while oppressing and criminalizing has opposite effects.

The new experiences help me to apply and embrace the attitudes that we should have in providing services in the Rehabilitation Centers. For example, I can immediately apply the idea of vocational trainings in my rehabilitation courses in Myanmar. In Germany, patients are trained for two years to ensure their professional skills meet certain standards. This is good. Myanmar also benefits if we can train the people so that they have more job opportunities and higher income. When drug users are rehabilitated and return to work – this is for the good of the country.