THAILAND HOSTS DRUG PREVENTION MEET

BANGKOK, Thailand - Experts attending a conference on drug abuse
prevention in Thailand on Monday said success in combatting illegal
narcotics in the next millennium depends on reaching youngsters now.

The five-day conference, aimed at finding effective prevention
strategies for the 21st century, brought together 342 representatives
from governmental and private organizations in 40 countries.

``All drug abuse begins in youth,'' said John F. Gilligan of the
U.S.-based Drug Prevention Network of the Americas. ``The fact is that
if a child doesn't touch illegal drugs before the age of 21, it's
virtually certain that he will never use illegal drugs in his life.''

The participants stressed that drug prevention begins with an
individual refusing to take drugs and the most effective way of
reaching youth people is through community-based programs.

Jurin Luksanawisit, a minister associated with Prime Minister Chuan
Leekpai's office, said that prevention should be combined with
suppression of drug gangs and money laundering.