THREE TON'S
DRUGS BURNED, THE MINISTRY OF REPUBLIC HEALTH SHOWS DRUGS ADDICTS
REHABILITATION SUCCESSFUL
The destruction of confiscated narcotic drugs
amount of 2,659.433 kilograms of value nearly 6 billion baht conducting
by the Ministry of Republic Health. Yaba is the largest quantity
among other drugs. Almost 90% of drug addicts can taking into
treatment and rehabilitation and no re-addicted. Taking Yaba cause
brain damage is show significantly. Drug addicts are necessary
no treatment. Besides, by September 30th 2547, The Ministry of
Public Health aims that drug addicts situation will not more that
65,000 cases nationwide.
On June 25th 2004 at 10.00 a.m. Sudarat Keyuraphan, Minister of
Public Health the chairman of the Thirty - First Destruction of
Confiscated Narcotics at The Utility and Environment Management
Center Ban Pa - In Industrial Estate, Pranakhorn Sr Ayuthaya as
the International Day Against Drug Abuse on June 26th of every
year.
Today, altogether 2,659.433 kilograms of confiscated narcotics
that were in 1,166 lawsuit cases will be incinerated publicly.
The total amount is worth about six million baht. These narcotics
are divided by type as follows; 2,065.87 kilograms, or approximately
22 million tablets of methamphetamine or Yaba, the value is 5,738.54
millionbaht, 378.33 kilograms of Heroin, the value is 170.25 millionbaht,
82.94 kilogrma of Opium, the value is 1.4 millionbaht, 54.11 kilograms
of Psychotropic Substances and 46.09 kilograms of Codeine the
value is 273,798 baht, 21.79 kilograms of Ecstasy or approximately
87,167 tablets the value is 61.01 millionbaht, 54.11 kilograms
of Psychotropic Substances and 46.09 kilograms of Codeine the
value is 273,798 baht, 21.79 kilograms of Ecstasy or approximately
87,167 tablets the value is 61.01 millionbaht, 5.51 kilograms
of Cocaine, the value is 2.48 millionbaht, 3.02 kilogram of Marijuana,
the value is 22,692 baht.
The destruction of confiscated narcotics will be performed by
Pyrolytic Incineration or burn at very high temperature. This
method would not cause any harm to the environment. After burning
process is completed within 24 hrs. and ash of narcotics will
be collected and sent to laboratory for analyst to confirm that
absolutely no narcotics left.
Sudarat Keyuraphan, Minister of Public Health, said that the amount
of confiscated narcotics have been held in storage currently is
22.273 tons, Yaba is the largest amount follow by Heroin.
The drug addicts situation in Thailand on December 3rd 2003 which
is the end of Drug War Declaration period found that there are
drug addicts in proportion 5 : 1,000 cases. Meaning there are
drug addict remain about 300,000 cases. In year 2003, there are
528,536 cases of drug addicts and drug abuser voluntary engage
to treatment and rehabilitation program in medical establishment
7,322 places nationwide which is higher that estimated 5 times,
in which 95% or 500,919 cases are voluntary treatment and rehabilitation.
80% approximately of cases can follow-up in 1 year after treatment.
In period of nine month (September 2003 - June 2004) about 100,000
cases were treated from voluntary, compulsory or imprisoned treatment
system. From Thanyarak Institute study among drug addicts were
treated in full system found that between 2002-2004 the ratio
of drug addicts can give up from drugs in 1 year high up to 90%
and 65% rest of them can return to their work or continue to study.
"However, long term use of drugs for who never been treated
there is tendency cause brain damage condition. From year 2002,
found 20% and increase 23% in year 2003, and between October 2003
- March 2004 found 23%. It is reflecting that long term use of
drugs will increase brain problem. Therefore, drug addicts are
necessary to treatment" Sudarat Keyuraphan said.
Thanyarak Institute has survey from experienced Yaba users through
nationwide about drug substitute in which can be used instead
of Yaba which found that 68% of alcohol, 37% of volatile substances,
and 34% of marijuana respectively can be used instead of Yaba,
because these substances are easily to seek. By 30th September
2004, Ministry of Public Health will able to confine drug situation
not more than 1:1,000 cases or not more than 65,000 cases of drug
addicts. Sudarat Keyuraphan said.
Source:
The Information and Public Relations Office, Ministry of Public
Health, Press Release
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