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.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin