In Myanmar's Kachin State, where opium production is prevalent, the local population has long dealt with the devastating impact of heroin abuse and addiction. In the absence of consistent and committed state intervention to address the problem, and a lack of sustainable alternatives for farmers whose livelihoods depend on opium production, a Christian anti-drug vigilante group has taken the issue into their own hands.
Despite their good intentions, Pat Ja San, which was formed through a coalition of churches and with the support of the Kachin people, has come under heavy criticism by human rights groups for its controversial approach to the fight against drugs. From setting up detox centers to detain drug users while they receive rehabilitation, to conducting raids on poppy plantations.
