DRUG TARGET

Foreign drug traffickers have drawn up sales targets, and put Thailand
squarely in the bullseye for drug peddling, said Prime Minister Chuan
Leekpai. Traffickers in a certain neighbouring country are trying to push
200 million amphetamine pills in Thailand this year, he said. He ordered
border patrols stepped up. He also announced he is sending Sanan
Kachornprasart to China. The minister will ask Chinese authorities to ban
chemicals used to make the illicit pills, presumably meaning ephedrine.

DRUG CRISIS

Thai people are using more amphetamines as the recession deepens, figures
indicate. The number of crimes reported last year actually dropped, from
163,120 in 1996 to 157,137. But the number that were related to amphetamines
rose dramatically, to 79,370 cases from 57,436.

Dr Prakob Pooviboonsuk, of Siriraj Hospital's pharmacology department, said
economic problems were a key factor in the rapid spread of amphetamine use.
"People have lost jobs, they have no money to pay debts," he said. "The easy
way is to sell amphetamines which can bring in big profits." Addicts use the
drug to leave their troubles behind for a while.

Checked-by: Rolf Ernst