Extreme corruption left by previous system and use of drugs haunt Myanmar democratization and compound move to stable democracy despite fragile situation

Myanmar: Hell hath no fury like Hpakant

GlobalPost

KACHIN STATE, Myanmar

An ancient Chinese proverb likens jade to the character of men. As the saying goes, “both are sharpened by bitter tools.” But in the jade mines south of China’s border — a wasteland known as Hpakant in Myanmar. A young ethnic Kachin addict shoots heroin into his arm. Many Kachin leaders accuse the government of “ethnic cleansing” via drugs. “In the lower part of Myanmar, they don’t let drugs circulate. If they did, their generations would also be like this.”