Use of ketamine and ecstasy rising among Yangon youth
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Htet Nadi/Htike San (NPNews) - March 11
A source working on drug prevention told The Statesman that the drugs ketamine and ecstasy are increasingly being used among young people in Yangon and are becoming more readily available.
“Some are sold in Yangon. But they are not sold in the downtown. They are selling in the outskirts. Some in Shwe Pyi Thar, some in Hlaing Tharyar, and Taikkyi. We heard that some of them are easily available even in the betal shops in those areas,” he said.
He said that it is also possible to sell through online social networks.
“This product are being sold not only in betel shop, but also on Telegram. If you place an order online, they tell you when and where to pick it up, and you go and collect it accordingly. That’s how they make contact and deliver it. This is the method they use to sell it,” he said, describing one of the sales methods.
It is reported that the sales are mainly targeting young people and focusing on drugs that they commonly use, such as ketamine and ecstasy.
“The main thing is that it is popular among young people now. They use K and E. These things have now spread to young students. As these items are so widely used, people mainly sell the things they use. We don’t know exactly what they are. But that’s probably the most likely thing. Most young people are using K and E now,” he said.
He also said that despite the high price of goods, the price of drugs has reached a point where the lower classes can easily afford them.
"I would say that even the lower class can easily afford it. Although commodity prices are high, drugs are cheap. Prices of drugs vary. People buy what they can afford," he said.
These drugs are widespread among young students and middle-aged adults, with clubs becoming places where people use drugs.
“How should I put this? Young people go to day clubs during the day and hang out there. At those places, they become familiar with these kinds of substances. When a DJ plays certain music, they feel that using these substances makes the experience more intense and exciting. As this trend spreads among young people, it often starts with trying it out of curiosity, and that’s how it gradually reaches more and more young people,” he said.
He also said that some young people, without even realizing it, are finding themselves in a situation where they are selling their drugs like drug traffickers to find new victims.
“Some children, even if they are victims themselves, are looking for more victims. They will then distribute and sell drugs. There are many cases like that. For example, if a young student buys 10 pieces, they will distribute them to the rest of the youth. There are many things like that where a victim himself is looking for more victims. As they are young, they want to do it for money,” he said. –