Pubdate: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 Source: Bangkok Post (Thailand) Copyright: The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2004 Contact: http://www.bangkokpost.co.th/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/39 Authors: Aphaluck Bhatiasevi and Anucha Charoenpo Cited: UNAids http://www.unaids.org/en/default.asp UNAIDS SPEAKS OUT OVER 2ND CRACKDOWN 'Rehabilitation of Addicts More Urgent' The UNAids organisation has expressed concern over the second phase of the government's war on drugs, saying more attention should be paid to the rehabilitation of addicts, many of whom carry the deadly disease. UNAids deputy executive director Kathleen Cravero raised the issue during a meeting on Tuesday with Justice Minister Pongthep Thepkanjana. She also called for authorities to make a clear distinction between traffickers and users. "With the launch of the crackdown on drug traffickers, the outreach programmes to the drug users should also be made clear and intensified, so that they're not targeted," she said. The government came under fire from the United Nations over its initial crackdown, which left more than 2,000 suspects dead, many in confrontations with police. Though she was assured by the minister the war would focus exclusively on traffickers, she felt the government should implement equally high-profile measures on rehabilitating drug addicts and preventing HIV/Aids among users. Ms Cravero said it was important to take measures toward introducing outreach programmes so the mistakes were not repeated. She said Thailand's response to HIV/Aids had not evolved at the same pace as the occurrence of the disease. Despite being successful in controlling the rate of new HIV infections in the past 15-20 years, the disease was on the rise among specific groups, like drug users, said Ms Cravero. UNAids estimates that 60% of intravenous drug users in Thailand are infected with HIV. She praised the Justice Ministry's agreement to collaborate with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in making a rapid assessment of the HIV/Aids situation and treatment in Thai prisons, which she called "a positive sign". However, Ms Cravero said authorities should be cautioned about the importance of respecting the rights of prisoner. Mr Pongthep said the matter should further be discussed with the Corrections Department. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake