LAMPANG VILLAGERS ENLISTED IN SECOND "WAR ON DRUGS"

Beware of thy neighbor seems to be the concept

The Drug Combating Center in Lampang Muang District, assisted by the
"people's power" is ready for the second wave in the "War on Drugs"
campaign.

The Center and provincial authorities hosted an event to create more
networking to keep a close watch on the drug situation. This is the response
to the government's campaign to prevent the drug problem returning to the
area.

Ruangrit Chormsuek, district chief officer of Lampang Muang District,
presided over the launching ceremony at the district office, together with
over 500 people including the region's Buddhist leaders, private sector,
chiefs of the local government offices, including kamnans, village headmen,
and the "People Power Club" in the villages.

The target of the operations will be primarily entertainment venues,
services locations, dormitories, slums, educational institutions, the border
and sources of international crime.

The authorities will set up X-ray scanning operations in the district areas
to search for drug suspects, addicts and traffickers. Addicts will be taken
to rehabilitation centers, and drug intelligence agencies will be set up.

The campaign places special emphasis on cooperation by communities to
strengthen the villages in a sustainable fight against the drug problem. One
in 10 households will be assigned as monitors for drug smuggling.

This second "War on Drugs" will be waged until December 3, with continual
follow-up measures, according to the district officer.