TOP PARTIES' POLICIES ON DRUG FIGHT UNCONVINCING

Drug demand reduction will be the thrust two major political parties
will try to highlight in their platforms in fighting against the
narcotics menace in the general election.

It is doubtful, however, whether the two parties-Thai Rak Thai and
the Democrat-will be able to convince the public to believe in their
ability to effectively deal with the problem that is so widespread in
the country.

Both parties have given the drug problem a priority of place in their
campaign platforms, seeing that the problem has become a serious
threat to national security and development.

Thai Rak Thai has promised to reduce consumption demand, saying the
method would in itself prove to be an "immune system" against drug
abuse.

It has criticised the Democrat-led government for wasting its time in
trying to wipe out the sources of supplies rather than reduce their
demand.

Purachai Piumsomboon, Thai Rak Thai secretary-general, said his party
sees a community-based approach as the best way to make people stay
away from drugs.

Public awareness must also be raised while the family institution,
non-governmental organisations, local communities and the education
system must all be strengthened.

More sports fields, botanic parks and music halls should be built in
communities as recreational centres.

Mr Purachai said his party would encourage schoolchildren and
teenagers to initiate anti-drug campaigns at the local and national
levels. Newly married couples will be taught how to avoid drugs and
how to enhance their family life.

"At present, people are concerned less about the family institution.
We want to change their attitude. This will be the key to prevent
drug abuse," he said. The Democrat-led government has failed to
enhance family ties. Such a campaign has never been launched before,"
said Mr Purachai.

Parents and teachers will be encouraged to exchange information on
children's behaviour every semester, and police will be drawn into
drugs prevention and control programmes.

He said others may think plugging the sources of drug supplies could
help solve drug abuse problems but Thai Rak Thai believes prevention
through the reduction of demand would prove to be a more effective
measure.

Apart from reducing demand, Thai Rak Thai's policy also lays emphasis
on treatment and rehabilitation, regional and international
cooperation and a need to review certain laws.

Putting drug addicts behind bars won't solve the narcotics problem.
Thai Rak Thai plans to set up more treatment and rehabilitation
centres throughout the country. These drug abusers will be treated as
"patients" not "criminals", he said.

Regional and international forums will be used to address narcotics
problems, especially methamphetamines, which are being produced and
smuggled into the country mainly by the United Wa State Army (UWSA)
from Burma. Mr Thaksin has vowed to tackle this problem by directly
asking the Burmese government in a straightforward manner to stop the
UWSA from producing them.

Prof Purachai said the Democrat Party lacked the required leadership
for a proper drug fight. "The prime minister has set up a national
drug control centre and should have led the centre by himself.
Instead, he has allowed a deputy premier to head the unit."

But Jurin Laksanavisith, minister to the Prime Minister 's Office,
who oversees the government's drug suppression policy, said the prime
minister's initiative to set up the drug control centre was
unprecedented and a good move. The centre helps ensure that all the
strategic plans are implemented fully and in the same direction.

He argued that his Democrat Party also initiated and introduced many
drug demand reduction campaigns such as the one declaring villages
and schools drug-free areas.

Government agencies, private sectors, civil societies, NGOs, and
private individuals were also encouraged to combine their efforts in
fighting the problem. Mr Jurin described as incorrect Thai Rak Thai's
assertion that the Democrat-led government gives more importance to
drug supply reduction programmes rather than reducing demand. The
party is aware it is important that local communities and state
agencies need to work closely together.

Many laws have been introduced and others amended, including the Law
on Conspiracy and Asset Forfeiture and the Money Laundering Control
Law, to keep up the pressure on drug syndicates. A treatment and
rehabilitation centre has also been set up in every province for drug
addicts who are treated as normal patients, he said.

New anti-drug measures are also being drawn up, said Mr Jurin who
described the Thai Rak Thai leader's plan to seek direct talks with
Burma to stop UWSA from producing drugs as "ambitious and
unrealistic".

Associate Professor Sangsit Piriyarangsan, an economist and
university lecturer who has been involved in several narcotics
researches, says the Democrats realised long ago that their
pro-active approach to stem the inflow of drugs was not working.