'Demand for drugs must be cut'

[Lite Beer]

'Demand for drugs must be cut'
The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- Large consignments of illegal drugs are being intercepted almost daily, suggesting the growing threat of a drug crisis, anti-narcotics chief Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen has said.

In the eight months from October 2012 to May this year, 83 million methamphetamine pills - also known as "ya ba" - were seized by authorities, along with 265 kilograms of heroin and 1.28 tonnes of crystal meth, also known as "ice". The street value of the drugs confiscated amounts to Bt1.84 billion, while as many as 343,258 people were sent to rehab over that period, Pongsapat said.

New figures recently released also reveal there are up to 1.2 million Thais addicted to drugs - an equivalent of 2.9 per cent of the population - with children as young as five being used to peddle drugs, Pongsapat said.

He conceded that more arrests were only met by an increase in the number of drug smugglers or "mules". Drugs like methamphetamine pills were waiting to be smuggled into Thailand from across a number of different border points, but authorities could not seal all these routes. The only option for police was to try and arrest smugglers before the illegal narcotics reach Bangkok, he said.

"If a consignment of narcotics reaches Bangkok it can quickly be spread to communities that are regarded as dangerous. Ninety per cent of drugs are being smuggled into Thailand from northern border points. Other smuggling routes enter Thailand in the South from Malaysia and Indonesia."

He added that traffickers were also changing their tactics in an attempt to evade authorities, by smuggling drugs to cities near Bangkok - such as Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan. Some were even smuggling drugs into Thailand by air.

Pongsapat said the best way to tackle the crisis was to reduce the demand. "To solve the problem, we must emphasise reducing the demand. This will only succeed with proper campaigns; the dissemination of information and through coordination with local police and communities."

He said that last year alone, 700,000 people had gone through rehab and returned home.

The Narcotics Control Board is also spending Bt10 million to produce an anti-drugs film entitled "Mak" (The Way), which will feature well-known local stars. The production was 80 per cent complete, Pongsapat said.

-- The Nation 2013-06-30

[PoodMaiDai]

Drugs like methamphetamine pills were waiting to be smuggled into Thailand from across a number of different border points, but authorities could not seal all these routes.

If they took their useless police off of helmet and harassment duty, they would have plenty of man power to seal the borders.

But then again, all that would do is strengthen the supply chain.

[noitom]

If they started busting some Thai Mr. Bigs, it might help.

[Loptr]

As long as corruption is rife throughout the RTP, the flow of drugs into the country will not stop. They might start by paying the BiB more that poverty wages that require them to scam any and all to supplement their income.

[mca]

The Narcotics Control Board is also spending Bt10 million to produce an anti-drugs film entitled "Mak" (The Way), which will feature well-known local stars. The production was 80 per cent complete, Pongsapat said.

The remaining 20% would be completed as soon as possible but unfortunately the well-known local stars were at a party ripped to the tits on coke and meth.

[Curt1591]

As long as corruption is rife throughout the RTP, the flow of drugs into the country will not stop. They might start by paying the BiB more that poverty wages that require them to scam any and all to supplement their income.

Drug wars are a joint effort on both sides. Most profit from the activities on both sides of the fence. In most cases, those screaming most about "the drug problem" are involved in creating it. It's a big money maker for everyone.

[arthurboy]

Thailand still has the death penalty. Get the phu yai's. Execute them.

[Sunisalom]

'Demand for drugs must be cut'

My English is not good but I know better word than cut = finished ?

'suggesting the growing threat of a drug crisis'

growing? Is already here big.

Sunisa.

[Payboy]

'Demand for drugs must be cut'

Busting the supply side might help.

[whybother]

The only option for police was to try and arrest smugglers before the illegal narcotics reach Bangkok, he said.

Maybe he needs to talk to Thaksin about setting up another "War on Drugs".

[hanuman2543]

"He said that last year alone, 700,000 people had gone through rehab and returned home."

How many of them are still "clean"?

[chrisinth]

Whenever Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen 'suggests' there is a growing threat of a drug crisis, who is this directed at, government or public?

The figures of 343,258 people being sent to rehab over that period over an eight month period should be indication enough. Again, how many of these people went voluntarily and how many were 'forced' to attend as part of the punishment? Although early days for these people, what is the expected success rate from these type of programmes and how many are expected to re-offend?

When you consider that the figures of seizures, '83 million methamphetamine pills, 265 kilos of heroin and 1.28 tonnes of crystal meth' will only be the tip of the iceberg (unless BiB are excelling in this task) then these figures are terrifying if one thinks what is getting through and being distributed.

The demand is already there, yes it must be addressed be education. But the supply must also be addressed. I remember a few years ago the Thai army, with the help from the American military setup a special anti-drug unit which was being used on the Thai/Burma border. This unit was being equipped by the Americans and was becoming extremely effective in their operations.

Instead of the project being expanded, the reaction from the Thai government was to disband this unit immediately and spread them throughout the army as instructors in anti-drug enforcement. IMHO, the reason the unit was disbanded was because they were damaging the money lines of influential persons (both sides of the border), said people having the power to squash the opposition.

Again, IMHO, this more than anything in their war against drugs is the area that needs to be concentrated on. Increase once again aggressive smuggling deterrents on the border regions and introduce a 'proper' anti-drugs education plan for the masses.

In reverse order; the demand will not disappear overnight, problem already exists, cull the supply to decrease the demand (from new users) and remove the protection provided for these people to operate.

Note: I can't remember the anti-drug units name, this happened around the 2004/05 (perhaps before) period with the Americans helping under Cobra Gold at that time.

[LuckyLew]

Not possible

There cannot be a drug problem in Thailand

I am positive there are no drugs in Thailand

why you ask ???????????

After the last election the PTP said all drugs in Thailand would be eradicated

Since it has been more than 6 months that means there are no drugs in Thailand

[Utley]

Pongsapat said the best way to tackle the crisis was to reduce the demand. "To solve the problem, we must emphasise reducing the demand. This will only succeed with proper campaigns; the dissemination of information and through coordination with local police and communities.".

IMHO, the "demand" for drugs is determined by "quality of life". If you want to reduce the demand, you need to figure out why people are unhappy with their lives; education about the dangers of drug abuse is going to have little impact. Why are many Thais unhappy with their lives? Gee....could it be that many work 6 days a week at menial, mind numbing jobs and have to live apart from their spouses in order to procure work? Could it be that the Thai society is one that is based on "class" structure and if you are in the lower class there is little to no possibility of escape? Could it be that there is no equality in the eyes of the law and only those with money can "afford" justice?

Just some of my thoughts.

[chrisinth]

Pongsapat said the best way to tackle the crisis was to reduce the demand. "To solve the problem, we must emphasise reducing the demand. This will only succeed with proper campaigns; the dissemination of information and through coordination with local police and communities.".

IMHO, the "demand" for drugs is determined by "quality of life". If you want to reduce the demand, you need to figure out why people are unhappy with their lives; education about the dangers of drug abuse is going to have little impact. Why are many Thais unhappy with their lives? Gee....could it be that many work 6 days a week at menial, mind numbing jobs and have to live apart from their spouses in order to procure work? Could it be that the Thai society is one that is based on "class" structure and if you are in the lower class there is little to no possibility of escape? Could it be that there is no equality in the eyes of the law and only those with money can "afford" justice?

Just some of my thoughts.

Quality of life is certainly a factor, one of many, but the demand for drugs is not determined by it, IMHO. It is not only the poor that use drugs.

Ironically, the rich privileged who are sent abroad for their education have brought the Western drug culture back to, in some cases, the origin of supply. (Of course this is by no means the crux of the problem, but a big part of it never-the-less)

Circle closed.............

[tomross46]

Former PM Thaksin had a way of taking care of the drug problem. He had the police KILL THEM So what 2500 people were killed. He did it to get rid of the drugs.

[Utley]

Pongsapat said the best way to tackle the crisis was to reduce the demand. "To solve the problem, we must emphasise reducing the demand. This will only succeed with proper campaigns; the dissemination of information and through coordination with local police and communities.".

IMHO, the "demand" for drugs is determined by "quality of life". If you want to reduce the demand, you need to figure out why people are unhappy with their lives; education about the dangers of drug abuse is going to have little impact. Why are many Thais unhappy with their lives? Gee....could it be that many work 6 days a week at menial, mind numbing jobs and have to live apart from their spouses in order to procure work? Could it be that the Thai society is one that is based on "class" structure and if you are in the lower class there is little to no possibility of escape? Could it be that there is no equality in the eyes of the law and only those with money can "afford" justice?

Just some of my thoughts.

Quality of life is certainly a factor, one of many, but the demand for drugs is not determined by it, IMHO. It is not only the poor that use drugs.

Ironically, the rich privileged who are sent abroad for their education have brought the Western drug culture back to, in some cases, the origin of supply. (Of course this is by no means the crux of the problem, but a big part of it never-the-less)

Circle closed.............

I think that you may have missed the point or that I did not explain myself fully. A wealthy person can have a poor quality of life just as well as a poor person can. Money doesn't ensure happiness (although most of us would rather be rich and unhappy rather than poor and unhappy). IMO, a society's quality of life is tied directly to the importance placed on human and family values, which is deteriorating not only in Thailand but in many societies around the world.

[diz]

The only option for police was to try and arrest smugglers before the illegal narcotics reach Bangkok, he said.

Maybe he needs to talk to Thaksin about setting up another "War on Drugs".

The war is already going on. Many people are shot by the police but it doesn't make it to the headlines. Usually police claim "they shot first"...

War on drugs isn't and was never a solution. In fact, countries with death penalty have the highest drug abuse. War on drugs only raises the price so more profit for the mafia. Please refer to the twenties last century when alcohol was prohibited and Al Capone made a fortune.

[Just1Voice]

If they started busting some Thai Mr. Bigs, it might help.

Yeah, like that's really gonna happen.

[laurab74]

Lots of sarcastic comments but no solutions.

[belg]

dealers = death penalty

users = pay at least one month salary ?

[SouthernMan3]

Lots of sarcastic comments but no solutions.

That's because there is no solution.

If you know one, please share kap.

[Loptr]

'Demand for drugs must be cut'

Busting the supply side might help.

Perhaps an air strike in Myanmar?

[Pinot]

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

PHUKET: Checkpoints across all three Phuket districts last night targetted people under 18 and a total of 121 teenagers tested positive for drugs.

July 19, 2012

Phuket: Official checked urine samples provided by 160 people stopped at the checkpoint. Of the samples taken, 27 turned tell-tale purple, indicating a preliminary positive result for methamphetamines.

Every time they test they get these kinds of results. Thais kids are into ya ba or meth big time. I would call it an epidemic and meth is a terrible drug. I'm sure the movie is going to change all this.

[hawker9000]

'Would sure hate to see Thailand become SEA's Mexico. All it takes is a culture of corruption... ...And demand of course; but in today's world sadly, that's pretty much a given thanks to crumbling family, religious and cultural values.

[reiltin]

Number 1 killer is booze 4% of people globally each year.Prohibition on acohol didnt work The war on drugs hasn't worked.Legalise it,tax it,treat addicts as patients rather than criminals.Surprisingly the US. Is leading the way with Colarado and Washigton as the vanguard.The war was always lost-Lets take care of the wounded instead of filling the prisons.

[rucus7]

Want to really slow the demand for drugs? Give the populace real hope, not a glitzy 10 million commercial with local celebrities.

[mamypoko]

Number 1 killer is booze 4% of people globally each year.Prohibition on acohol didnt work The war on drugs hasn't worked.Legalise it,tax it,treat addicts as patients rather than criminals.Surprisingly the US. Is leading the way with Colarado and Washigton as the vanguard.The war was always lost-Lets take care of the wounded instead of filling the prisons.

Oo-f'king Ra! It's like putting prisoners in prison.

[Emdog]

"Ironically, the rich privileged who are sent abroad for their education have brought the Western drug culture back to, in some cases, the origin of supply" Oh good more farang bashing. Just the solution we need: blaming rather than addressing the problem. May wish to read article on decriminalizing drugs in Portugal: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1893946,00.html

[PEP]

Recent campaigns in our Tambon against drug use with the younger population has been a sucess. Dissapearance or loss of urine test samples has risen in cost from last year to the current rate of 15,00Baht.

Quite a deterrent as few of the village famlies can offord this and have to "borrow" from the local Shark at 3% per month interest.