An anonymous reader nicknamed Mr Reference has sent the [him] moderator the following information about groups of people who use drugs in Myanmar in response to the question asked two days ago.

[him] moderator

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The Black Sheep Self Help Group of Drug Users (in Lashio) was formed with support from AHRN Myanmar. The first Black Sheep quarterly newsletter was published in May 2007 and provided opportunities for drug users to share their feelings, experiences and opinions with readers.

The objectives of Black Sheep Self Help Group are:

To develop job opportunities, generate income and become independent through sustainable employment;
To include and recognise the drug users as part of the workforce of the Union of Myanmar;
To prove that the drug users can be productive members of society and enjoy quality lifestyle like other citizens;
To reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with drug use and to re-integrate the users back to the society;
To set up and sustain a local enabling environment for developing employment opportunities for drug users.

Over 2,000 drug users have currently been reached and received services through those interventions.

Source : AHRN website

More comments:

There are about four drug user groups in Lashio Township. Such as the Black Sheep (members are current IDU, organized by AHRN), Youth Empowerment Team (the YET; Current and Ex-drug user group, formed by MANA), the North Star (current IDU group, organized by MANA) and the OASIS (PLHA Ex- drug user self help group).

All the groups are informal and not register yet at Ministry of Home Affairs. Do you think they will get a chance to be an NGO?