Pubdate: Tue, 17 Oct 2000
Source: Bangkok Post (Thailand)
Copyright: The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2000
Contact:  http://www.bangkokpost.co.th/
Author: Sirikul Bunnag

PLAN TO PENALISE SCHOOLS FOR ADDICTION WOES SHOT DOWN

The education minister's plan to punish school executives who fail to 
tackle drug problems in their schools has been rejected by senior ministry 
officials.

The officials have suggested that all schools be required to provide their 
students with medical check-ups to identify addicts and send them for 
treatment.

Education Minister Somsak Prisananantakul said his proposal to punish 
school executives who failed to curb the number of students involved in 
drug abuse or trade, to mark the Drug-Free School Year next year, was 
turned down at yesterday's meeting of senior ministry officials.

Many department chiefs voiced concern at the lack of acceptable standards 
to figure out the number of students using or selling drugs and the 
possible impact of the measure on concerned officials who might be confused 
and discouraged by the policy, he said.

Instead, statistics will be constantly gathered by physicians and school 
panels and kept for reference.
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