ONCB Secretary-General Launches Nationwide Campaign to Combat Drug Crisis.

Bangkok: Secretary-General of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanurat Lakboon, has inaugurated a collaborative effort with governors from 77 provinces aimed at expediting treatment and social rehabilitation in response to the drug crisis. This initiative, which involves the Operation Center for Accelerating Treatment, Social Rehabilitation, and Narcotics Prevention and Suppression, marks the commencement of a series of meetings that will focus on enhancing the country's approach to narcotics control. According to Thai News Agency, the meeting, held in both physical and online formats, connected representatives from the ONCB office with those from the Operation Center for Narcotics Prevention and Suppression across the nation. Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanurat highlighted that the Prime Minister, Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, had recently emphasized the drug problem as a national agenda during her visit to Chiang Mai Province. The government's strategy includes cutting off drug traffickin g routes and seizing assets linked to drug networks, alongside improving the rehabilitation of drug addicts to aid their reintegration into society. The Secretary-General outlined the government's ambitions to expand drug prevention efforts from an initial 10 pilot provinces to encompass the entire nation, aiming for Chiang Mai to be drug-free by 2025. This plan aligns with the royal intention of His Majesty the King under the philosophy of sufficiency economy. Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanurat also discussed the promotion of drug prevention in 2025 across 12 model provinces, urging cooperation from the Ministry of Interior to support these initiatives. He stressed the importance of local civil society in sustaining drug problem solutions, with the Mother of the Land Fund ready to facilitate tangible sustainability. The meeting is a precursor to developing a comprehensive action plan for the fiscal year 2025, focusing on six strategic points, including integrating drug users into treatment programs, collaborating with neighboring countries to curb drug production, and disrupting drug trade networks. There is also a focus on eliminating risk areas, engaging communities in solving drug issues, and driving a unified approach to meet 21 indicators set under five main objectives. Furthermore, urgent areas for narcotics interception and suppression have been identified, expanding to 14 provinces and 51 districts. These include regions such as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Mae Hong Son, among others. The next meeting to further these discussions is scheduled for December 18, 2024.