BANYAT PUSHES NEW INITIATIVES

Deputy Prime Minister Banyat Bantadtan wants the cabinet to approve the
implementation of anti-drug projects to be carried out in fiscal 2001.

The cabinet is expected on Tuesday to consider the proposal, involving 54
projects to be carried out by 40 work units under ten ministries.

The Defence, Finance, Agriculture, Interior, Justice, Labour, Education,
Public Health, University Affairs and PM's Office ministries, along with
independent agencies, will have a budget of 2,927 million baht.

The PM's Office is to get the highest allocation of 830 million baht,
followed by Justice with 705.6 million baht, Public Health with 389.4
million baht, Interior with 363.7 million baht and Education with 124.9
million baht.

Mr Banyat, in his capacity as chair man of the National Drug Prevention and
Suppression Committee, wants all work units to spend their allocated funds
on anti-drug activities only.

The projects are intended to make at least half of the country's villages,
communities, schools and educational institutes free of drugs.

Its is also hoped to reduce the number of drug-addicted students to 10%,
reduce the number of major drug traders by 400, limit opium-growing areas to
under 7,000, raid and destroy all marijuana plantations.