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Health Implications Related to Jade Mining
Besides being famous for jade, Myanmar is also the world’s second largest producer of opium and mining sites such as those in Hpakant are known to be the epicentre for drug use. While there's limited statistics on percentage of drug use among those working at jade mines, it is estimated that 72% of new HIV infections are due to contamination from intravenous needles used for drugs. Furthermore, the state of Kachin has the highest prevalence of HIV at 2.8% compared to a national rate of 0.57%. Miners have reported that it is common to find drug camps — also known as “shooting galleries” — set up around mining sites where they can buy and use drugs publicly.

During the day, miners inject themselves with a concoction of methamphetamine and caffeine (known locally as “yaba”) to help them cope with the harsh environment and long hours of laborious work searching for lumps of jade. At night, they use heroin to relieve pain, relax, or fall asleep.

The use of drugs has serious health implications on these jade miners. The initial use of yaba gives jade miners an energy boost but after the influence of drugs wear off, they may experience prolonged sleep and depression. The physical effects of using yaba include dental problems, seizures, aggression, mental health problems, and heart failure resulting in death. Research has also shown that chronic use of methamphetamine can alter one’s state of mind — affecting thoughts, emotions, and behaviours to the point where sense of reality is lost.

While yaba is a stimulant that give jade miners the energy they need to scavenge for precious stones, heroin is used as a depressant to help them relax, manage pain, and sleep after hard work. Using heroin through needles increases risk of transmission of communicable diseases like HIV, Hepatitis B, and C. Drug users who have been diagnosed as HIV positive or having other diseases have also experienced stigmatisation from their community — increasing their vulnerability to physical violence, anxiety, and depression.