DISPLAYED: 6 January 2024 at 05 :40
In a fresh initiative to lessen the damage caused by illegal drugs, the government intends to use military infrastructure as places to handle and stabilize drug addicts.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin emphasized conversations he had with army commander Gen Charoenchai Hinthawao and Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang about the severity of drug problems in areas in a social media post.
Additionally, he unveiled a program in support of the government’s initiative to lessen the damage that drugs cause.
” MPs have expressed problems from their communities, and drug problems have adverse effects on society.” Military officials have consented to permit the use of their facilities to treat drug users. In two days, they are expected to provide facts, he said.
The Public Health Ministry, the Office of Narcotics Control Board ( ONCB), and regional operational organizations participated in a workshop on reducing the damage that drugs cause earlier, according to the Defense Ministry.
A plan to operate rehabilitation facilities for patients with psychological disorders brought on by illegal drugs was approved by the conference.
Prior to referring people to drug rehabilitation facilities or mental health facilities, the centers under the plan will treat and care for patients with orange-coded status.
The Public Health Ministry and the ONCB will work with other organizations to develop operating guidelines for these centers, and they will consider passing legislation to help the centers ‘ operations, activity standards, referral system, staff training, budget, etc.
The army will set up rehabilitation facilities at some military hospitals for this program, targeting areas where there are no drug rehabilitation or mental health facilities, even though the Internal Security Operations Command ( Isoc ) was chosen as a coordinator.
Prior to the project’s expansion to include five additional army-run hospitals in Udon Thani, Nakhon Sawan, Phitsanulok, Lampang, and Nakhoon Si Thammarat, each with a total of 50 rooms, the second phase of hospitals were designated as rehab centers with 40 rooms.
The remaining 27 military clinics with 110 beds would receive the centers in the next step.