Bangkok, Bangkok opens hospitals and public health service centers. Treat drug addict patients Comprehensive care with social workers and psychologists

Mr. Chatchat Sitthiphan, Governor of Bangkok, revealed after the meeting of the Bangkok Narcotics Prevention and Suppression Executive Committee No. 2/2024 that drugs are an urgent matter and are the main policy of the Prime Minister. In the past, in the case of children stabbing each other in school, it may have a lasting effect on the context of drugs in nearby communities. This has continued effects on various schools, including the issue of electronic cigarettes. which is currently spreading in schools The Prime Minister has given a policy that will be more stringent in this matter.

After the Ministry of Public Health regulations were announced that possession of no more than 5 methamphetamine tablets is considered a drug user and must be treated, which Bangkok is taking care of. Therefore, various steps regarding care and treatment must be carefully co
nsidered. On the issue of rehabilitation of drug addicts Sometimes there is treatment first. After that it was a rehabilitation. before being sent back into the community The treatment requires many agencies to be involved. At the meeting, there was discussion on how to proceed in the case of a patient with psychiatric symptoms combined with drugs. Because sometimes the patient has symptoms of mania. Therefore, it may be necessary to distinguish between psychiatry and drugs. And the agency that takes care of this group of patients must also be clearly defined. Then, how will there be rehabilitation so that it can return to the community with quality? There was discussion with various agencies in Bangkok. We also have a rehabilitation center for drug addicts, Ban Phichit Jai, but if there is cooperation with other agencies such as the Air Force and others, it will make the rehabilitation matter more complete. Consider each other more

Regarding the transportation of drugs via parcels, there is actually no clea
r solution as it is a complex matter. But I think Bangkok will be able to help by looking at the destination. If we know which community has parcel delivery work, we will expand the investigation to the source.

Regarding the creation of a sandbox to care for drug addicts, Mr. Udomchai Lohanut, Director of the Bangkok Narcotics Control Office, said that the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, together with the Bangkok Health Department and the Division The Metropolitan Police Command (BMA), as the secretary of the Bangkok Narcotics Prevention and Suppression Center, has considered that the Wang Som community, the Matcha community, and the Samakkhi Phatthana community and the community along Hua Mak Noi Canal, Bang Kapi District 4, these communities have the strength to be able to develop and raise the level to be sustainable. From visiting the area and coordinating Was informed of the problems from the community conditions that Most are psychiatric problems that have been treated and returned to the commun
ity. but do not have relatives or have relatives but do not have the power to take care of the economy, which will cause a burden on the community. The ONCB, the Health Department and the Public Health Office have come together to propose a project to drive the issue of upgrading 4 such communities towards strength Today, the Governor of Bangkok has ordered the consideration of 1 – 2 additional communities.

The Governor of Bangkok said that in addition, the meeting had adjusted the action plan according to the Prime Minister’s policy to reduce the severity of the drug problem for a period of 1 year in accordance with the government’s urgent policy. The plan and various indicators have been adjusted using the OKR system in operations with a total of 11 indicators. It is expected that if all of them are integrated, the drug situation will improve. Currently, we are extremely concerned about drugs in schools. This will be a place of importance, including in the community.

And from what has been announced, if s
omeone has no more than 5 methamphetamine pills in their possession, they will be considered an addict. Whether it will make it easier for drug users in the community to access methamphetamine or not, Pol. Maj. Gen. Tinnakorn Rangmat, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said that the police must act according to the law. If considered to be an addict, they are taken into treatment. At the meeting, they talked about preparations to support addicts entering the treatment process.

The readiness of Bangkok to accommodate addicts who will need treatment. Dr. Sunthorn Sunthornchart, Director of the Health Department, said that 69 public health service centers and hospitals under the Health Department We have a drug addiction treatment department. And there is clear action that when patients come in for treatment, they will be referred for social rehabilitation. This year it is expected that there will be more people receiving treatment. The Public Health Service Center has also added social workers and
psychologists to the treatment team.

The Governor of Bangkok added that We must evaluate the impact in detail, including various measures. When we do it ourselves, we must follow it up well. and adjust the service unit to be consistent with the context in which patients must be treated And there are screening methods to take care of patients appropriately.

Mr. Chatchat further said that As for e-cigarettes, this will be combined with drug screening. Because various operations are in accordance with school regulations. We have one approach, which is to bring in Teacher DARE or DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), which is a police project, to provide knowledge about drugs to students in schools. And even though e-cigarettes are not clearly classified as drugs, But in terms of schools it is considered prohibited. And we have improved the rules and regulations in schools to be more strict. There may be screening and random inspections to avoid fear of outsiders who may sell or interfere with our students. I
ncluding taking steps to increase safety in schools. Outsiders are prohibited from entering the school. CCTV has been installed to supervise children, which is our valuable resource. And we take care of them on behalf of over 250,000 parents who trust them to be in our schools.

Source: Thai News Agency