Pubdate: Fri, 04 Mar 2005 Source: Bangkok Post (Thailand) Copyright: The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2005 Contact: http://www.bangkokpost.co.th/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/39 Author: Yuwadee Tunyasiri PLANS FOR DRUGS WAR SKETCHED Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has told police to put the country under the microscope again prior to a new war on drugs that is to begin once his new government is in place. Mr Thaksin also wants the Public Health Ministry to cut demand for drugs through rehabilitation of addicts, community cooperation in preventing drug use, and promotion of family love and care. National police chief Kowit Wattana said Mr Thaksin told a meeting on crime yesterday that police officers holding positions of commander and superintendent would be held responsible if drugs returned to areas under their jurisdiction. Pol Gen Kowit said police were hunting for 10,000 drug suspects wanted under arrest warrants. Pol Gen Chidchai Wannasathit, deputy national police chief, said the meeting discussed new strategies against drugs that could help authorities keep pace with producers, dealers, users and addicts, with emphasis placed on promoting bilateral and multilateral efforts to tackle production sources and trafficking. Public Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan, meanwhile, said new anti-drug efforts would focus on controls of supply and demand, and prevention of drug use, particularly among youngsters. Suppression of drug precursor production and smuggling would continue in earnest over the next four years, she said, while security would be tightened along the northeastern border which had become a major drug transit route in addition to the northern border. Supression would go hand in hand with prevention to cut demand for drugs, Mrs Sudarat said. The Public Health Ministry would launch new campaigns to help people kick smoking and drinking habits, increase anti-drug budget and push for legal amendments that would enable state agencies to deal with drug problems more effectively, she said. The Labour Ministry would find jobs for rehabilitated addicts. Also, a people's network against drugs would be formed with the cooperation of the Interior and Public Health ministries and the ``To Be Number One'' programme. Network staff would work in various communities to prevent drug use. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin