The Prime Minister ordered to accelerate the expansion of drug-free areas from 25 provinces to cover the whole country, stressing the creation of a model to provide knowledge and education in prisons, creating a Zero Dropout policy.
Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister, said at the end of her policy presentation at the 2/2024 meeting of the Narcotics Control Board that for the 25 pilot provinces, she wanted the drug suppression to be distributed throughout the country, such as the North at Chiang Mai Province, the Northeast at Sakon Nakhon Province, the Central Region at Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, the South at Narathiwat Province, the East at Rayong Province, and to expand to other provinces so that all 77 provinces can be covered quickly.
The Prime Minister also said that regarding the matter of arresting drug users for treatment, he would like to see how the database can be created using technology to help, and it must be confidential because we do not want to have a bad record. We do not inten
d to do that, but we would like the data to be collected so that we do not have duplicate work. If we do it and the loop does not end, we will have to do it again, which is to try to propose a plan.
In addition, I would like to consider studying it as a model for those who are arrested and in prison. I would like to see more knowledge and education because most drug addicts who go to prison are people who have a low percentage of education. This can be used to correct this and create a Zero Dropout policy. At the same time, I would like to see the assets of drug dealers be seized seriously.
Please make clear regulations. I want to speak seriously that we must seize assets seriously. Otherwise, we will continue to do the same thing over and over again. It is up to you to do it. Because we have visited the area and we have seen what should be done. Therefore, we would like to come back and talk. And for today’s observations, if there are any updates, please let me attend the meeting.
The Prime Minister also
stated that what he wanted to do more was public awareness. Just now, there was no plan for this matter. He was waiting for a meeting in the meeting chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister because he wanted to know how to communicate it. It was not just about showing the results, but also about creating awareness in society that we were serious about this and how much we had actually adjusted. He wanted a picture of the whole loop, how many people had been arrested, where they had gone, and how much had been destroyed, so that the public would not have to wonder. This should be made clear.
Source: Thai News Agency