COMMUNITIES ENLISTED TO CRACK DOWN ON DRUGS

X-Rays to Be Used

The new Chiang Rai provincial governor has ordered X-ray machines to be
installed to be used for drug searches, and wants community leaders, kamnan
and village headmen to play a greater part.

Governor Veerakiart Somsoy said after he had outlined government policy to
the community leaders in Mae Chan and Mae Sai districts, that Chiang Rai
had stepped up measures throughout the province to track down drug addicts
and dealers.

Strict measures will be enforced to suppress drug ringleaders and their
networks of traffickers by working in cooperation with volunteers in the
communities, including kamnan and village headmen. X-ray surveillance has
been installed in the villages.

Veerakiart added that using the X-Ray measure in the province is
implementation of government policy. The approach involving the community
is expected to lead to greater efficiency and success.

The Tambon Administration Organization has also allocated money for the
prevention and suppression of drugs at grassroots level.