ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN A BIG SUCCESS

1,068 Dealers And Addicts Go Clean

A new anti-drug campaign appears to be working in Sakon Nakhon where a
number of those involved in narcotics have surrendered to authorities and
promised to clean up.

Since the scheme titled "Wash your hands of illicit drugs" started last
year in Ban Muang district, a total 1,068 drug dealers and addicts reported
to local police and the drug situation has gradually improved, officers said.

Other police stations in Sakon Nakhon have used similar slogans such as
"Turn your back on drugs" and "Kick the drug habit".

Oath-taking ceremonies were also organised at police stations where drug
dealers and addicts surrendered and swore an oath promising to shun drugs.

Pol Lt-Col Sathien Chaisongkram, deputy superintendent of Wanon Niwat
district, said no action was taken against those who surrendered.

However, he threatened harsh penalties against those who refused to report
to authorities.

Pol Lt-Col Sathien initiated the scheme when he was chief of Ban Muang
police station.

Khamlar (surname withheld), 30, a former drug dealer from Phon Sawang
village in Muang Sakon Nakhon, said he got into drug trading after he lost
his job.

His elder sister, a local drug dealer, later asked him to help deliver
drugs to her clients. He said he was paid over 10,000 baht a month.

"I decided to quit the illicit drug business as I don't want to be killed.
I have witnessed the deaths of several neighbours who were drug dealers.
Most were killed in an act of revenge by a drug gang. Some were arrested by
police and some disappeared mysteriously," he said.

His elder sister, Mrs Bunlorm, 39, said she entered the drug trade when she
was a teacher in a hilltribe community in Nan province.

She said she was enlisted by wealthy drug-dealing tribespeople.

A drastic crackdown on drugs and a spate of killings involving drug gangs
made her stop.

Preecha, 35, a villager in Laem Thong village said he first tried drugs
when he was a worker in a slaughterhouse. His employer gave him and other
workers speed pills when he wanted them to do more work. He cited the
drastic crackdown as a reason to quit.