Solvent Abuse Proves Sticky Problem For Northeast

[george]

Solvent abuse proves sticky problem for Northeast

KHON KAEN: -- Thailand's north-eastern province of Khon Kaen is launching a stringent crackdown on solvent abuses after discovering a huge rise in the number of solvent abuse cases.

Provincial Governor Jet Thanawat told reporters that the number of solvent abuse cases in the province was soaring, with around 40 people arrested each month on solvent abuse charges, representing 40 percent of all narcotics-related arrests.

It is thought that many drug users turned to solvents during the government's 'war on drugs', which made other substances, such as methamphetamines, harder to come by.

Mr. Jet said that the focus on the province's anti-solvent campaign would be on the 233 abusers arrested over the past few months who will be asked to attend rehabilitation programmes in which the solvent abusers will be offered skills training and education.

The province will also train shop workers to help ensure that they do not sell solvents illegally, and shops which are known to have sold solvents to abusers in the past will be put on special watch.

--TNA 2005-06-11