VICTORY OVER DRUGS ANNOUNCED ON DECEMBER 3 BY PM THAKSIN

Do We Hear Chickens Being Counted?

On December 3, Chiang Mai governor, Suwat Tantipat, presided over the
ceremony to declare "victory over drugs", at Chiang Mai University's (CMU)
convention hall. A number of associated organizations received
certificates, and also took an oath in the front of His Majesty the King's
portrait, to not become involved with drugs.

Many took part in the ceremony to announce the victory over the drugs at
CMU's Convention Hall.

Governor Suwat said that according to the government's policy to fight
drugs, declared in February 1 2003, the result had been very satisfying and
successful. The drug combat operation center in Chiang Mai successfully
destroyed a number of drug networks. Over 400 people who were involved with
drugs were arrested and in addition, over 26,000 drug addicts had been sent
for rehabilitation.

The strategies involved had three 3 major steps - the first and second
being to find and destroy the networks, and the third to assist in the
rehabilitation and recovery of drug addicts into society.

Governor Suwat said "We now are on the third phase. The Government insists
that we recover the love relationship in the drug addicts ' families, to
return them to our society."

In a televised address, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said the result
of the government's drug crusade was beyond his expectation, and he was
overwhelmed learning that a drug problem which had snowballed over the
decades took less than a year to wipe out. "Today marks history for all
Thai people" PM Thaksin said.