100,000 Druggies In Bangkok

Writer: BangkokPost.comPublished: 7/09/2009 at 03:10 PM There are about 90,000 to 100,000 drug dealers and addicts in Bangkok, according to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB).

ONCB Region 1 director Prayong Preeyajit said at a 'Crimes and Narcotics in Communities' seminar on Monday that the spread of drugs in the capital was mainly due to the environmental factors such as night-time entertainment venues and management of student dormitories.

"In addition, the current state mechanisms could not help suppress the spread of narcotics," Mr Prayong said.

Deputy metropolitan police chief Pongsan Jiam-on said people have to work together in fighting illegal drug use.

Pol Maj-Gen Pongsan said the public cannot just hope that police will solve drug problems alone. All sides, particularly community key members, must help keep an eye on their areas.

At the same time, the police must keep the information of informers confidential as their lives could be at risk, he said.