REHABILITATION BILL TO BECOME LAW IN MAY

Addicts No Longer To Be Seen As Criminals

The public is being urged to keep an open mind as the drug rehabilitation
bill comes into effect next month.

Under the bill being vetted by the House of Representatives, substance
abusers are not regarded as criminals in law but patients who require
rehabilitation.

Speaking at a seminar held by the Probation Department, Justice Minister
Chaturon Chaisaeng called on society to be open-minded and to help addicts
get through.

"It's time to reach out to addicts and help them free themselves from
substance abuse," he said.

The seminar, attended by community leaders and NGOs, looked at what people
could do.

Under the bill, the community is urged to play an active role in drug
rehabilitation efforts.

Separating drug addicts from hardened criminals was one approach
underscored by the bill.

Phra Maha Veerapan Rokkhittasilo, from Ayutthaya, said monks had
volunteered to help.

A "Dharma Army" has been set up with 3,000 voluntary monks to work with
communities and schools.

Monks would visit communities and schools and encourage young addicts to
take part in rehabilitation.

Kittipong Kittiyarak, the Probation Department director-general, said for
the law to be effectively implemented full co-operation from the whole
society was needed.

"People usually look down on drug addicts, which makes them turn away from
society. We should all change our attitude and welcome them back to society
and help them," he said.