DISCIPLINARY COURSE HOLDS OUT HOPE OF A NEW FUTURE

Tears of love and understanding filled the air at Baan Fasai drug
rehabilitation centre in Nakhon Pathom's Klong Yong district as young
drug addicts were reunited with parents after a tough disciplinary
training programme.

Eighty three boys on drug charges took part in the 15-day course. Most
boys, from central juvenile observation centres, had three to four
months left to serve.

The course was run by the National Youth Bureau, the Army's
Territorial Defence Department, the Central Juvenile Protection and
Observation Centre, and the Central Juvenile and Family Court.

The boys were allowed to return home on Tuesday after four of the
court's judges gave them their freedom. The boys are on probation for
12 months and have to report to the court every three months.

Tor, 15, swore that he would not return to drugs. Tor was arrested
while selling 16 amphetamine pills.

Since being arrested, spending nine months at Ban Muthita, and finally
taking part in the training programme, life had taught the boy many
lessons.

"Now I don't need drugs money, it's not worth the freedom we stand to
lose," he said.

Tom, 18, another trainee, said the programme taught him knowledge,
strength, patience, unity, and discipline.

Tom was arrested six months ago for drugs possession, his fifth
offence, previous ones including robbery and physical assault.

After the course, something has changed. Tom says he wants to be
ordained, continue his education and start a new life.

Col Surapol Yudee, who oversees training, said he was confident that
more than half the trainees would not return.

"The training was tough and full of pressure," he said. The burden had
now passed to parents to take better care of their kids.

"The immunity we've injected to these boys will not last long."