Commonly found in Southeast Asia including in Myanmar, leaves from the kratom tree have long been used as a traditional medicine to treat various health conditions, including diabetes, diarrhoea, fever and pain. Kratom is currently banned in Myanmar, and the WHO’s Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD) is discussing this week whether it should be placed under international drug control. Instead of criminalisation, however, this commentary argues that legal regulation of kratom could contribute to building safer communities, promoting development and supporting peace efforts in Myanmar and beyond.
Fishing community in Mon State. Kratom leaves are commonly used by fishermen working at sea to cope with difficult working and climatic conditions / Photo credit TNI
The multiple crises of coup, covid and conflict that conflated and struck Myanmar are currently the main focus of people’s attention, both domestically and abroad.
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