33. NORMA REGIONAL DAN PERUBAHAN KEBIJAKAN MYANMAR DALAM MENANGANI KEJAHATAN PERDAGANGAN NARKOBA

Abstract

In the past few decades, The Golden Triangle, consist of Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos,
has been known as one of major drugs producers in the world. In 2000 ASEAN member
states agreed to ratify the declaration of Drug-Free ASEAN 2015 as a mutual commitment
to eliminate the distribution and abuse of drugs in Southeast Asia. In Myanmar, the lack of
government control and policy implementation during military regime had became
primary factor that caused the stagnation of drugs policy in Myanmar. The military regime
which ruled Myanmar for almost 50 years eventually ended and replaced by the civilian
government led by Thein Sein in 2011. Thein Sein carries reformative steps to solve sociopolitic
problems, including drugs policy at domestic level. This research aims to explain
this policy change. Using constructivist paradigm, this research argues that public policy
can be affected by norms applied in the region. This research concludes that Myanmar’s
policy change under Thein Sein administration was influenced by the regional norm, that
is Drug-Free ASEAN 2015.