8,000 ADDICTS OFF TO CAMPS

The armed forces is to accept 8,000 people found guilty of using drugs for
treatment and rehabilitation in military camps.

Lt-Gen Vorapong Sangwornratchasap, assistant army chief-of-staff for
civilian affairs, said the programme would be launched in one or two
months, at the request of the Justice Ministry's Probation Department.

Under the programme, the armed forces would take those found guilty of
using drugs for treatment and rehabilitation since under the Narcotics Act
they were regarded as patients.

Lt-Gen Vorapong did not say how long the programme would last, only saying
that the first month would be for treatment.

Lt-Gen Vorapong said the army's Sai Yok military camp at tambon Thung Yang
Kang in Kanchanaburi province would take 4,000 addicts.

The navy's marine headquarters in Chon Buri's Sattahip district will take a
further 2,000 and air force prisons at various air wings would also take a
total of 2,000 addicts.