Pubdate: Tue, 13 Jun 2000
Source: Bangkok Post (Thailand)
Copyright: The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2000
Contact:  http://www.bangkokpost.co.th/
Author: Anucha Charoenpo

EPHEDRA LEAVES BECOME POPULAR IN SOUTH

It's an ingredient for methamphetamine

The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) yesterday denied that
schoolchildren and fishermen in southern coastal provinces are turning
to chewing ephedra leaves as a substitute for methamphetamine pills.

Responding to a report in a Ranong newspaper, ONCB secretary-general
Sorasit Saengprasert said it was not yet possible to replace speed
pills since the drug was still popular and profitable for dealers.

The newspaper reported that ephedra leaves were becoming popular among
fishermen and schoolchildren who found that it made them feel more
active and energetic.

Mr Sorasit said the plant was grown in the North and that it was
difficult to plant in the South because the climate was unsuitable.

Extracted from ephedra, ephedrine was not considered a new drug since
it was a necessary ingredient for meth amphetamine production, he said.

Mr Sorasit said methamphetamine was still widely available in 14
southern provinces, particularly in Ranong, despite a tough crackdown
by the authorities.

PM's Office Minister Jurin Laksanavisith, leader of the national
anti-narcotics initiative, led an inspection team along drug
trafficking routes in Ranong in a bid to stem the flow of
methamphetamines from Burma's Kawthaung.

Mr Jurin was particularly concerned about trafficking in the Ranong
estuary along the 69km Ranong river, where drug dealers were difficult
to catch.

He instructed marine police to step up their river patrols and urged
local police to inspect communities along the river.

He said cough syrup was also widely used in Ranong as well as in the
five southernmost provinces. An investigation was underway to find
whether or not the cough syrup contained codeine, a derivative of
morphine. If the syrup could be classified as a drug, measures
controlling its widespread use would be enforced immediately
- ---
MAP posted-by: greg