Number of speed pill dealers declines in Thailand, ice abuse rises

BANGKOK, 28 January 2012 (NNT) – The government of Thailand has reported a major progress of its hunt for Methamphetamine dealers and admitted crystal meth abuse is now becoming rampant.

In the Saturday talk show under the Yingluck Government Meets the People program, Deputy Police Chief Adul Sangsingkaew disclosed that the performance of anti-drug police was quite satisfactory. Over the past three months, about 15 million speed pills had been seized. Caches of heroin and crystal meth known as ice have also been found and confiscated.

While more speed pill dealers have been captured, the Deputy Police Chief admitted that the spread of ice abuse had become a new challenge for authorities. He also stressed that public participation would be promoted due to its important role in the anti-drug campaign. Community leaders at drug-prone areas have been urged to keep a close watch on any irregularities. The 1386 hotline has been set up to enable the public to inform officials of suspicious activities.

The number of drug addicts is estimated at 1.2 million. Sixty percent of them are in the capital. The number of drug users taking rehabilitation throughout the country is estimated at 54,000 which is still far below the government’s target of 400,000.