PLAN TO PENALISE SCHOOLS FOR ADDICTION WOES SHOT DOWN

The education minister's plan to punish school executives who fail to
tackle drug problems in their schools has been rejected by senior ministry
officials.

The officials have suggested that all schools be required to provide their
students with medical check-ups to identify addicts and send them for
treatment.

Education Minister Somsak Prisananantakul said his proposal to punish
school executives who failed to curb the number of students involved in
drug abuse or trade, to mark the Drug-Free School Year next year, was
turned down at yesterday's meeting of senior ministry officials.

Many department chiefs voiced concern at the lack of acceptable standards
to figure out the number of students using or selling drugs and the
possible impact of the measure on concerned officials who might be confused
and discouraged by the policy, he said.

Instead, statistics will be constantly gathered by physicians and school
panels and kept for reference.