Myanmar has been known for being filled with mining resources. But the mining business has now turned into a serious concern due to an unstoppable hike of drug addiction among the mine workers. The Hpakant mining area in northern Myanmar's Kachin state has long been known for being the major resource area to the valuable stone Jade. World's most valuable, as well as rarest types of Jade, are found here. And this has caused the market of drugs and heroin go on high stakes in this region.

According to Latin American Herald Tribune, more than tens of thousands of youths from various regions of Myanmar actually come to this area to try their luck for the fortune in Jade mining. It is though that this mining task can alleviate much of the property situations, as Jade stones are sold at very high prices in the international markets. But the mining work of extracting Jade is considered to be a heavy toil-worthy task. Therefore, being exhausted with horrific physical labor they eventually become addicted to cheap drugs. The report further suggested that a dose of heroin costs here only 3,000 Myanmar kyats (about $2.30).

This addiction actually causes many terrible accidents in the Jade mines. Many of these migrant workers even come face to face with fatal death being habituated with such dangerous forms of drugs. Thus, drug addiction has become one of the violent and biggest issues of Kachin state. Authorities suggested that 80 percent of the female inmates in Myitkyina prison in the state has ended up their career being involved drug related issues. As per a report by Straits Times, 75 -90 percent of the migrant workers in Hpakant are drug addicts.

Jade, also known as the stone of heaven, has largely been marketed and sold in the various parts of China. Being the neighboring state, Myanmar stimulates the higher rate of demands for Jade every year.

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