Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling Thailand’s narcotics crisis during a recent meeting with the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), highlighting a comprehensive strategy that emphasizes both rehabilitation and law enforcement.
The government has announced plans to expand drug rehabilitation programs across 25 pilot provinces in an effort to reintegrate former drug users into society. Citing the success of existing programs in Thawat Buri and Tha Wang Pha, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of replicating these models nationwide.
In addition to focusing on rehabilitation, Paetongtarn stressed the need to strengthen law enforcement efforts, particularly in border regions where drug trafficking remains a significant challenge. She highlighted the administration’s approach of balancing prosecution with rehabilitation, offering former drug users job opportunities post-treatment to help prevent relapse and aid in their reintegration into the community.
The Prime Minister also noted that efforts are being made to streamline coordination between different agencies to ensure that the government’s approach to Thailand’s drug problem is effective and yields better outcomes in the long term.