In a remote Thai jungle, young refugees from Myanmar sit patiently in a wooden stilted treatment center, awaiting acupuncture therapy for drug addiction. Many are struggling with methamphetamine dependency, a growing issue across camps where Myanmar's displaced have sought refuge from civil war.

Since Myanmar’s military coup in February 2021, conflict has killed thousands, displaced nearly three million people, and fueled a spike in synthetic drug production. This surge is flooding refugee camps, particularly those in Thailand, with highly addictive methamphetamine.

One camp in Thailand’s Tak province hosts the Drug and Alcohol Recovery and Education (DARE) center, a UN-funded program aiming to curb addiction through alternative therapies, including acupuncture, massage, and yoga. Operating across five camps and over 40 villages, DARE claims a 60% success rate for its 90-day program. Edward Blakely, a DARE director, attributes addiction to a “perfect storm” of trauma, displacement, and easy access to cheap drugs.

Methamphetamine tablets, commonly known as "yaba," are now so prevalent they can be bought for less than a beer, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). With enforcement weakened by conflict, armed groups are exploiting the drug trade to finance their operations, creating a cycle of dependency and despair for Myanmar’s displaced youth.

"The costs are steep," said Marip, a DARE counselor and former addict, "but there’s no price that compares to the freedom from drugs."

BOB Post