A SENATOR visiting Surin was told by a school there that a random drug test of 100 at-risk students from middle to high school who are frequently absent showed that nearly 30 of them are addicted, mainly to methamphetamine, with more than half being girls, Amarin TV said today (June 4).
Mr. Rujiphas Meekusol, senator from this province and spokesperson for the Senate Committee on Law and Justice, as chairman of the working group on studying, preventing, and suppressing drug networks and crime, was also told by officials that while the administrators of this school have been open and cooperative with the authorities about this problem many others still hesitate to participate in the student drug-testing programme for fear of reputational damage.
He will now discuss this issue with the working group to address the problem of new youth drug users and break the drug trafficking cycle at the source.
He visited patients at a drug rehabilitation centre and observed the 15-day behavioural rehabilitation programme for those under probation in this fiscal year at the “Sense and Love” camp within Dhamma Park.
He also went to Surin Provincial Volunteer Defence Corps camp to visit participants in the Department of Provincial Administration’s 120-day rehabilitation programme.
This facility operates according to the department’s specialised curriculum to help drug addicts change their behaviour, rehabilitate their physical and mental health, and prevent relapse.
Activities include environmental adjustment and discipline training with Volunteer Defence Corps members supervising and supporting them throughout the training. The Surin administration also integrates with local public health agencies in systematically sharing information and assisting those undergoing rehabilitation.
This field trip was undertaken because the drug problem in Thai society has intensified and spread rapidly, elevating from a general social problem to a more serious “national security threat” with nearly 2 million people using drugs, resulting in a chain reaction affecting crime, economy, and public health.
Particularly in Surin province, in recent months there have been frequent drug-related murders stemming from hallucinations and psychotic episodes.
At the rehabilitation facility within the Volunteer Defence Corps camp he met a 59-year-old man who previously suffered from severe drug abuse and is the oldest person undergoing treatment with the other being a 19-year-old youth, who is the youngest.
The youth told Rujiphas that he voluntarily enrolled in the rehabilitation programme and had only studied till the sixth grade, having dropped out after a fight with a teacher. He is currently studying at a non-formal education centre and does not want to return.
He had started taking drugs at the age of 14, usually after school, and while his memory is still good the drugs cause forgetfulness, but medication is helping him recover. He has to take the medicine for a full year to fully recover and vowed to quit drugs although he is still taking them.
He added that drugs are everywhere with many students in his school taking them.
“I used to sell drugs to students, starting from grade 6 they’re already taking drugs, It’s a difficult problem. The kids get intoxicated and even big schools can’t stop it. Teachers don’t know because the kids hide in the bathrooms, they sneak out of the classroom to buy them,” youth said.
A reporter accompanying the senator said the drug problem has spread to youths who are new users. The at-risk group ranges from primary school (Grade 6) up to junior to high school, with the age group most likely to experiment being junior to high school students, between 12-15 years old.
CAPTIONS:
Top and First insert – Some of the drug addicted students.
Second insert – Senator Rujiphas Meekusol holding talks in Surin. All photos – Amarin TV
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