The government has announced plans to transform military facilities into treatment centers for drug addicts. This new initiative aims to lessen the damage caused by illegal drugs.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin shared on social media about his talks regarding the widespread drug issues in communities. He discussed these issues with Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang and army chief Gen Charoenchai Hinthao.
He revealed a new program supporting the government’s strategy to diminish the impact of drugs.
“Drug problems have negative impacts on society, and MPs have relayed concerns from their communities. Military authorities have agreed to allow the use of their premises to provide treatment for drug addicts. They are expected to give details in two weeks,” he stated.
Previously, the Defence Ministry reported that the permanent secretary’s office participated in a workshop with the Public Health Ministry, the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), and local administrative organizations.
This workshop focused on minimizing drug-related harm. The workshop endorsed a plan to operate rehabilitation centers for those with mental issues due to illegal drugs.
As per the plan, these centers will treat and care for patients marked as orange-coded before transferring them to drug rehabilitation or mental health hospitals.
The Public Health Ministry and the ONCB will formulate guidelines for running these centers. They will also consider establishing a law to support the centers’ operations, standards, referral processes, staff training, and budget.
The Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) will act as a coordinator, while the army plans to establish rehabilitation facilities at some of its hospitals, especially in areas lacking such facilities.
In the first phase, four army hospitals in Prachin Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani, and Kanchanaburi will serve as rehab centers, each offering 40 beds.
This project will then extend to five more army hospitals in Udon Thani, Nakhon Sawan, Phitsanulok, Lampang, and Nakhon Si Thammarat, adding 50 more beds.
In a subsequent phase, the remaining 27 military hospitals will join this initiative, providing a total of 110 beds.
