Thai Govt To Crack Down On 'Party Pills'

[webfact]

Govt to crack down on 'party pills'

By The Nation

Deputy Public Health Minister Torpong Chaiyasarn yesterday warned people found with so-called "party pills" - a popular tranquilliser among Thai teens and the rich and also used in date rape - could face jail or even a death sentence.

He said the Medical Science Department and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would categorise the pills as a "Class 1" narcotic (along with heroin and cocaine) in the Royal decree soon.

The Public Health Ministry will also order strict searches for the drug.

Torpong was asked about moves to control over-the-counter sale of cold medicines containing precursor chemicals that are often used in the production of illicit drugs.

He said the FDA had the power to conduct random checks on pharmacies, including unlicensed ones, and take action against those selling dangerous medicines without a pharmacist's supervision or a doctor's prescription.

He warned them to beware of the FDA.

-- The Nation 2011-09-14

[tominbkk]

Why don't they actually name the drug in these 'party pills'? so amateur.

[Buchholz]

Why don't they actually name the drug in these 'party pills'? so amateur.

Benzylpiperazine

Information on Benzylpiperazine

[rametindallas]

Why don't they actually name the drug in these 'party pills'? so amateur.

Benzylpiperazine

Information on Benzylpiperazine

sounds more like Rohypnol

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rohypnol

[Nisa]

Why don't they actually name the drug in these 'party pills'? so amateur.

Benzylpiperazine

Information on Benzylpiperazine

sounds more like Rohypnol

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rohypnol

One is a stimulant and one is a sedative (opposites)

However, I'm not sure Benzylpiperazine (stimulant) is even the drug referred to in the OP since the OP describes it as a tranquilizer and being used for date rape.

[hyperdimension]

Without mentioning any chemical names they might as well say that they are cracking down on drugs in general, which of course would be redundant as everyone already knows that. Why even make a news article if the essential facts are not going to be mentioned?

[Nisa]

He said the FDA had the power to conduct random checks on pharmacies, including unlicensed ones, and take action against those selling dangerous medicines without a pharmacist's supervision or a doctor's prescription.

If one is buying drugs from a pharmacist, wouldn't this be "under a pharmacist's supervision" ?

[jimbeam1]

Could face jail or even a DEATH SENTENCE. Just wait for the

Just look at the other the drug related posts at the moment concerning the governments crack downs on drugs.

jb1

[Thai at Heart]

They have had a potentially "class 1" drug on sale in pharmacies?????

He said the FDA had the power to conduct random checks on pharmacies, including unlicensed ones, and take action against those selling dangerous medicines without a pharmacist's supervision or a doctor's prescription.

And rather than the police conducting the searches, the FDA is going to do this?????

[phiphidon]

They have had a potentially "class 1" drug on sale in pharmacies?????

He said the FDA had the power to conduct random checks on pharmacies, including unlicensed ones, and take action against those selling dangerous medicines without a pharmacist's supervision or a doctor's prescription.

And rather than the police conducting the searches, the FDA is going to do this?????

No, the inference was the FDA are going to look into the selling of large quantities of "cold cure" pills which are bought in bulk and used in the the production of Methamphetamine. This has been reported before, but in a clearer form by less lazy journalists. See http://www.drugsalvage.com.au/downloads/ice.pdf for more info.

[Thai at Heart]

They have had a potentially "class 1" drug on sale in pharmacies?????

He said the FDA had the power to conduct random checks on pharmacies, including unlicensed ones, and take action against those selling dangerous medicines without a pharmacist's supervision or a doctor's prescription.

And rather than the police conducting the searches, the FDA is going to do this?????

No, the inference was the FDA are going to look into the selling of large quantities of "cold cure" pills which are bought in bulk and used in the the production of Methamphetamine. This has been reported before, but in a clearer form by less lazy journalists. See http://www.drugsalvage.com.au/downloads/ice.pdf for more info.

Ah ok, the fog clears a little bit. Funny thing is, I deal with the FDA quite a lot, and whilst quite a well meaning bunch, they are as dodgy as they come, when it comes to turning a blind eye to certain things. Then add in corrpution at customs, and basically, if you have enough clout you can import and sell anything you want. The cases we hear about dodgy whitening creams are basically when the person doing the importing or manufacturing cannot pay to make the problem go away, or they are encroaching on someone's piece of the pie. As for things like slimming coffee, well what can anyone say?

Quite why it is the FDA's job to look into who buys what is beyond me also. Presumably, it is their job to draw up the rules and regs about what, who and how much of anything is acceptable to buy, and then pass it onto the cops.

Thailand has all the rules just like anywhere else in the world, but with no enforcement, what hope is there? Between customs, and the coppers they know precisely who is importing what and in what quantities. If they are making amphetamines with it, I wouldn't imagine it needs the FDA to get involved, rather the coppers to get off their ass.

Edited September 14, 2011 by Thai at Heart

[jonw8uk]

Such a concise and informative article.

So, the facts are: A party pill, that's popular with teens, rich people and rapists is to be made a class 1 narcotic, and subsequently 'cracked-down' upon, but no name given so nobody is any wiser.

Additionally, the FDA is gonna 'get' all the pharmacies who sell stuff they shouldn't, even the unlicensed ones - hmmmm surely they shouldnt be selling anything already?!

This all must be part of the nationwide campaign to make Thailand the hub of 'justifying-a-job-by-making-nonsense-press-releases.

[rametindallas]

They have had a potentially "class 1" drug on sale in pharmacies?????

He said the FDA had the power to conduct random checks on pharmacies, including unlicensed ones, and take action against those selling dangerous medicines without a pharmacist's supervision or a doctor's prescription.

And rather than the police conducting the searches, the FDA is going to do this?????

No, the inference was the FDA are going to look into the selling of large quantities of "cold cure" pills which are bought in bulk and used in the the production of Methamphetamine. This has been reported before, but in a clearer form by less lazy journalists. See http://www.drugsalva...wnloads/ice.pdf for more info.

Ah ok, the fog clears a little bit. Funny thing is, I deal with the FDA quite a lot, and whilst quite a well meaning bunch, they are as dodgy as they come, when it comes to turning a blind eye to certain things. Then add in corrpution at customs, and basically, if you have enough clout you can import and sell anything you want. The cases we hear about dodgy whitening creams are basically when the person doing the importing or manufacturing cannot pay to make the problem go away, or they are encroaching on someone's piece of the pie. As for things like slimming coffee, well what can anyone say?

Quite why it is the FDA's job to look into who buys what is beyond me also. Presumably, it is their job to draw up the rules and regs about what, who and how much of anything is acceptable to buy, and then pass it onto the cops.

Thailand has all the rules just like anywhere else in the world, but with no enforcement, what hope is there? Between customs, and the coppers they know precisely who is importing what and in what quantities. If they are making amphetamines with it, I wouldn't imagine it needs the FDA to get involved, rather the coppers to get off their ass.

The main reason they want to know who is buying large quantities of precursor drugs is so they can know who to 'shake down' and they don't want the police to get a cut.

[Thai at Heart]

The main reason they want to know who is buying large quantities of precursor drugs is so they can know who to 'shake down' and they don't want the police to get a cut.

Well to do that, they are going to have to ask the cops, customs or local manufacturers to tell them. Not sure the FDA can compel anyone to tell anyone anything.

[MaiChai]

This is good news as it will make it more of a crime when foreigners are drugged by locals and robbed.

[apetley]

It's all very well threatening the death penalty for drug trafficking but when it is not used despite being on the statute book and despite the huge problem of drugs here then it really must be seen as a hollow threat.

Does anyone know when the last judicial execution for drug trafficking was carried out in Thailand?

[londonthai]

"warned people found with so-called "party pills""

looks, like it's a general warning to all people using different illegal drugs, to watch their back.

"date rape" drugs should not be qualified as class 1, it's over the top. They are dangerous, but they are not addictive, as the other pills

[roamer]

It's all very well threatening the death penalty for drug trafficking but when it is not used despite being on the statute book and despite the huge problem of drugs here then it really must be seen as a hollow threat.

Does anyone know when the last judicial execution for drug trafficking was carried out in Thailand?

Two executions in 2009. Believe there have been others. Almost as far back as I can recall its almost always just been the mules and small cogs that get it. Its purpose as a deterrent must be in doubt. If you want to believe its justified as a punishment that's another matter entirely.

My link

Edited September 14, 2011 by roamer

[Richard4849]

This is good news as it will make it more of a crime when foreigners are drugged by locals and robbed.

Or when locals are drugged by foreigners and robbed/raped? And when locals are drugged by other locals and robbed/raped?

[apetley]

It's all very well threatening the death penalty for drug trafficking but when it is not used despite being on the statute book and despite the huge problem of drugs here then it really must be seen as a hollow threat.

Does anyone know when the last judicial execution for drug trafficking was carried out in Thailand?

Two executions in 2009. Believe there have been others. Almost as far back as I can recall its almost always just been the mules and small cogs that get it. Its purpose as a deterrent must be in doubt. If you want to believe its justified as a punishment that's another matter entirely.

My link

Hi, thanks for the link.

Is the death penalty a deterrent? I seriously doubt it.

Is it justified for some crimes? Yes.