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. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens