In Rampu Ward of Kachin State’s capital Myitkyina, drug users are improperly discarding syringes, raising concerns and distress among locals.

Drug users often consume drugs in public places, such as roadsides and playgrounds where children play, and frequently discard used needles in these areas.

“It’s very dangerous for children when syringes are thrown away in playgrounds. Right now, it’s the summer school holidays, so many kids are playing there and facing the risk of accidental exposure to these needles,” a Myitkyina resident said.

Residents of Rampu Ward worry that children could be accidentally exposed to infectious diseases through these discarded syringes, as some drug users may carry such infections.

In the past, local civil society organizations (CSOs) collected discarded syringes, but these activities have since stopped.

One ward resident said he and his friends collected as many as they could, even filling a one-gallon tin can with used syringes.

“We’ve collected a gallon-sized tin full of discarded syringes just by carefully sorting them. If we put in more effort, we could probably collect an entire barrel,” he told KNG.

The widespread disposal of used syringes in public areas alarms parents and residents due to the risk of accidental infections, prompting increasing calls for proper cleanup efforts.

Rampu Ward is considered the main drug hotspot in Myitkyina, and locals allege that police take bribes from dealers, allowing drug sales to continue openly. In addition, there are also businesses in the ward where drug users sell goods obtained through theft and robbery.

In Myitkyina, which remains under junta control, crimes such as theft, robbery, snatching, and even murder are reported almost every month.