BOOT CAMP DRILL HELPS ADDICTS

Users Volunteer For 15-Day Programme

Military camps now rehabilitate drug addicts as well as train soldiers.

The idea of accepting drug addicts for military-style rehabilitation
materialised about a year ago after speed pill addiction among Thai youths
was found to have become so widespread that the government was left with no
other choice but to declare it as a national security threat.

With state support, the army introduced a regimented treatment scheme for
youngsters willing to undergo a gruelling 15-day programme to kick the habit.

The programme consists of two parts: A military training course to
strengthen the body and mind and an anti-drugs course to raise awareness
against health-related threats from drug abuse.

The 11th Infantry Division in Chachoengsao is now putting 87 addicts from
the eastern provinces through rehabilitation at its training facility,
which will last until Aug 9.

The programme is not mandatory but voluntary in nature. The participants
are encouraged to join by their community leaders.

Maj-Gen Boonsueb Kotcharat, commander of the 11th Infantry Division, said
the current rehabilitation programme was the third to be held since it was
launched last year.

So far, about 600 drug addicts participated and he is convinced not many
would return to drugs.

He said provincial officials were assigned to follow-up the results
regularly once the programme was completed. Those found to have kicked the
habit for good were then recruited as volunteers to campaign against drug
abuse in their respective provinces.

Capt Veera Wongkhamharn, a programme supervisor, said the first three
training days were the most difficult because the participants had to get
off drugs. The trainees were forced to undergo tough exercises and taught
military discipline.

The trainees then become confident they can stay away from drugs.

He admitted some could not endure the strict regimen and had to quit the
programme halfway through.

Speed addict Peeraphol Lapanant, 18, said he could survive the drill.

"I think I am physically strong enough to pass the military training."

Itthipong Kakeengarn, 16, also said he was sure the programme would help
him quit drugs.