Thailand Faces Increasing Drug Problems As Opium Production Rises

[webfact]

NCB'S 2011 REPORT

Drug problems worsens as opium production rises

THASONG ASVASENA

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Thailand and Southeast Asia face increasing drug problems following a boost in methamphetamine abuse and the expansion of poppy plantations in Burma and Laos, according to the 2011 report released yesterday by the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB).

Young people in the region are major targets for methamphetamine, known as "ice", the report said. This is matched by an increasing number of cases reported by anti-narcotics police and the Office of Narcotics Control Board, especially in the Northeast, which borders the two countries. In certain cases, methamphetamines is sold as a diet supplement at prices cheaper than amphetamines. Amphetamines are more popular among Thais. Traders found this tactic attracted greater sales of amphetamines and helped them introduce methamphetamines to existing clients.

In its recommendations, INCB encouraged countries to increase the amount of internationally controlled drugs (ICDs) to match needs of patients under various conditions, following a World Health Organisation (WHO) standard.

Under the UN definition, ICDs are addictive substances needed for general or psychotropic treatment. Their production needs to be regulated because excessive amounts might be left in the hands of dealers or abused by users. Most ICDs are non-patented, or their patents have expired.

In this respect, Thailand is still under a WHO standard to provide internationally controlled drugs to 101 patients per million people within 24 hours, said Viroj Sumyai, an INCB board member

The WHO standard stipulates a minimum of 200 patients, while in a country like the US, the figure is higher than 10,000.

The INCB found that production of poppy in Laos had been increasing. Methamphetamine has also been trafficked widely in China, Laos, Burma.

The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) plays an important role in monitoring enforcement of restrictions on narcotics and psychotropics.

Its representative for East Asia and Pacific, Gary Lewis, said it was important that suppression must abide by the rule of law. He had been asked about possible drug-related violence and revenge killings.

International attention would be important in keeping government's operations in check and local authorities should always heed human rights principles while conducting the crackdowns, Lewis said.

-- The Nation 2012-02-29

[rkidlad]

Well, of course it will rise before it falls completely. What goes up must also come down. Don't worry. There will be no more drugs by 2015.

I'm just guessing as to what the government might say.

[Reasonableman]

The <deleted> should hit the fan one day. Each day brings 2015 closer. Who will be the scapegoats for the country being unprepared?

Well, of course it will rise before it falls completely. What goes up must also come down. Don't worry. There will be no more drugs by 2015.

I'm just guessing as to what the government might say.

[noitom]

This Gary Lewis, based on his remarks stated in this newspaper sounds like he is getting paid to do nothing. It appears, from his remarks here that he is a bag of wind. The entire INCB appears to be a useless organization probably funded by taxpayers in Europe, Japan, and North America. Thailand isn't even listed as an "activity" and they don't have a Thai mission listed.

[LuckyLew]

This cannot be true

Last week the Gov;t was saying Thailand will be a drug free zone

[jonclark]

INCB is talking rubbish! Why only a few days ago Chalerm told everyone Issan would be free of drugs by 2015. Anyone would think Chalerm would have been drinking to make such a comment judging by the claims of INCB. As if!!!!

[trainman34014]

Don't worry; Chalerm has a cunning plan !

[chainarong]

Hang on hang on , just last week we had big daddy telling the peasants that he would clean the joint up in twelve months, everybody drug free in Thailand , now this startling infomation , what next.

[jonclark]

Don't worry; Chalerm has a cunning plan !

It's not one of Baldricks cunning plans, is it?

Edited February 29, 2012 by jonclark

[animatic]

Don't worry; Chalerm has a cunning plan !

More likely he has only a cunning stunt,

because he is such a stunning...

[OZEMADE]

I am sure I read a thread on here where some idiot stated that the drug problem has decreased in Thailand, playing the same old fiddle.

[anterian]

All I know is that I have been taking ephedrine and then pseudoephedrine for years, to deal with chronic sinusitis a common affliction with Londoners. Now it seems I will have to suffer or become an official junkie.

[pointoffew]

"in the Northeast, which borders the two countries" (Burma and Laos).

Since when? Must have missed an earthquake.

By the way, I remember one 5 December, some 5 years ago or so, when Thailand was officially declared "drug free". As there were drugs all over the place in Thailand, I asked some local distributors if "drug free" meant they were handing it out at no cost...

[Shantaram]

This cannot be true

Last week the Gov;t was saying Thailand will be a drug free zone

Bring back Thaksin and it will be!

[trainman34014]

This cannot be true

Last week the Gov;t was saying Thailand will be a drug free zone

Bring back Thaksin and it will be!

Only if he shoots about half of the Police force as well !

[surangw]

This cannot be true

Last week the Gov;t was saying Thailand will be a drug free zone

Maybe they mean it will be passes out free soon.

[surangw]

This cannot be true

Last week the Gov;t was saying Thailand will be a drug free zone

Bring back Thaksin and it will be!

His plan garenteed no repeat offenders.

[bigbamboo]

I am sure I read a thread on here where some idiot stated that the drug problem has decreased in Thailand, playing the same old fiddle.

You are right. It's the tourist numbers that increase, the drug problem decreases.

[tonglen]

The war on drugs is an exercise in futility. Sysiphus had an easier job rolling rocks up hills.

This "war" is a simple law of supply and demand.

Perhaps the DEA and other organizations could concentrate on the demand part as the supply part will ALWAYS be there.

Enjoy your "war" boys. Youll lose.

[RubbaJohnny]

It was all atypo re the proposed solution to the Persian pussy persausion,

BAN ON RUGS

[SouthernMan3]

This cannot be true

Last week the Gov;t was saying Thailand will be a drug free zone

Bring back Thaksin and it will be!

Boo, Bah, bad !!!

[SouthernMan3]

This cannot be true

Last week the Gov;t was saying Thailand will be a drug free zone

Bring back Thaksin and it will be!

His plan garenteed no repeat offenders.

Yea............ One strike and you're OUT !!!

[chrisinth]

This Gary Lewis, based on his remarks stated in this newspaper sounds like he is getting paid to do nothing. It appears, from his remarks here that he is a bag of wind. The entire INCB appears to be a useless organization probably funded by taxpayers in Europe, Japan, and North America. Thailand isn't even listed as an "activity" and they don't have a Thai mission listed.

INCB must be preempting the drug free status Thailand will have in 2015

EDIT: Didn't read the rest of the string; looks like a lot of other people came to the same conclusion.

Edited March 1, 2012 by chrisinth

[rogerdee123]

Don't worry; Chalerm has a cunning plan !

More likely he has only a cunning stunt,

because he is such a stunning...

His plan is to sue the INCB for saying the drug problem is getting worse.

[animatic]

Don't worry; Chalerm has a cunning plan !

More likely he has only a cunning stunt,

because he is such a stunning...

His plan is to sue the INCB for saying the drug problem is getting worse.

Stunted development is not ruled out.

[Thaimaishoe]

Whatchado is zero out the DEA budget, legalize ALL drugs. Gov buys and gives away cocaine, crack, ice, heroin (all recreational drugs, funded by defunding all the parasitic DEA programs and agents, with money to spare.)

Result:

1. No more hypocracy... arresting free people for exercising their freedoms - that don't agree with your morals.

2. No more drug dealers... you can not sell what is already free.

3. No more prison over crowding... you can not lock up people for what is legal.

4. No more Drug related crime... You don't need to steel honest peoples shit, if you don't need to pay for your drugs.

5. Save a shit pile of money, since buying and giving away a few million tonnes of cocaine is cheaper (once you are the only buyer) than trying to hold back the tide, and imprison the couple of dozen lowlifes you do manage to catch.

Drawbacks:

1: Need to implement massive job retraining for parasitic LEO's who's only current reason for being is to infringe on other free Mens liberties.

2. Addicts will take care of themselves with the new free drugs.. former drug dealers will need to be dealt with.

[rubl]

The other newspaper has an article about 'drugs flooding schools'. Deputy Education Minister Sakda Khongpetch visited some schools as part of the ministry's "White School" anti-drug campaign. He even said to have heard of police asking for 10,000 baht for each tablet of drugs they had found on people, as a bribe to ensure their freedom. Imagine! His reaction to that was that if this is really happening, this kind of illegal behaviour must be stopped.

Dept. PM Pol. Captain Chalerm still has some work to do before he can confirm the one year 'War-on-drugs' has been concluded succesfully.

[Reasonableman]

Amazing no-one thought of this before.

Whatchado is zero out the DEA budget, legalize ALL drugs. Gov buys and gives away cocaine, crack, ice, heroin (all recreational drugs, funded by defunding all the parasitic DEA programs and agents, with money to spare.)

Result:

1. No more hypocracy... arresting free people for exercising their freedoms - that don't agree with your morals.

2. No more drug dealers... you can not sell what is already free.

3. No more prison over crowding... you can not lock up people for what is legal.

4. No more Drug related crime... You don't need to steel honest peoples shit, if you don't need to pay for your drugs.

5. Save a shit pile of money, since buying and giving away a few million tonnes of cocaine is cheaper (once you are the only buyer) than trying to hold back the tide, and imprison the couple of dozen lowlifes you do manage to catch.

Drawbacks:

1: Need to implement massive job retraining for parasitic LEO's who's only current reason for being is to infringe on other free Mens liberties.

2. Addicts will take care of themselves with the new free drugs.. former drug dealers will need to be dealt with.

[Reasonableman]

Whatever the real outcome, be prepared for a proud salute and "Mission Accomplished".

The other newspaper has an article about 'drugs flooding schools'. Deputy Education Minister Sakda Khongpetch visited some schools as part of the ministry's "White School" anti-drug campaign. He even said to have heard of police asking for 10,000 baht for each tablet of drugs they had found on people, as a bribe to ensure their freedom. Imagine! His reaction to that was that if this is really happening, this kind of illegal behaviour must be stopped.

Dept. PM Pol. Captain Chalerm still has some work to do before he can confirm the one year 'War-on-drugs' has been concluded succesfully.

[Thaimaishoe]

Amazing no-one thought of this before.

Whatchado is zero out the DEA budget, legalize ALL drugs. Gov buys and gives away cocaine, crack, ice, heroin (all recreational drugs, funded by defunding all the parasitic DEA programs and agents, with money to spare.)

Result:

1. No more hypocracy... arresting free people for exercising their freedoms - that don't agree with your morals.

2. No more drug dealers... you can not sell what is already free.

3. No more prison over crowding... you can not lock up people for what is legal.

4. No more Drug related crime... You don't need to steel honest peoples shit, if you don't need to pay for your drugs.

5. Save a shit pile of money, since buying and giving away a few million tonnes of cocaine is cheaper (once you are the only buyer) than trying to hold back the tide, and imprison the couple of dozen lowlifes you do manage to catch.

Drawbacks:

1: Need to implement massive job retraining for parasitic LEO's who's only current reason for being is to infringe on other free Mens liberties.

2. Addicts will take care of themselves with the new free drugs.. former drug dealers will need to be dealt with.

I must admit, I am at a loss as to how to interpret your comment.

If you mean to mock me personally for not espousing an original Idea, well guilty as charged. Legalization is not an original idea of mine, but I do not see any other comments championing the cause. Feel better? Although you should note, I do advocate going one step beyond simple legalization, namely, giving these drugs away for free.

Or, maybe you mean to mock the IDEA of legalization, as having been tried and shown to be a failed policy. In that case, perhaps you could enlighten us all with some source information, cite some studies (that were not funded by the DEA), tell us all perchance what jurisdiction has gone this direction and failed?

I look forward to providing you links to things that have led me to believe the way I do over the years, but I am not going to waste my time, even with cut and paste, on someone who writes a one sentence post. Do more, or be dismissed.