NEW ROUND OF URINE TESTS SOUGHT FOR ABSENT STUDENTS

City Hall Seeks More Complete Study Result

City hall wants another drug test for 122 students who were absent when 733
others took the test in September, Bangkok deputy governor Tharin
Sanguansermsri said.

The absentees were supposed to be among 855 students at elementary and
secondary levels to have their urine tested for methamphetamines.

Only nine of the 733 students tested positive for speed. Ms Tharin said she
was satisfied with the low number of positive results. However, she wanted
the other 122 tested, so the results would be more complete.

``It's possible that several have used drugs,'' she said.

Tests were carried out for the first time last year, when city hall sampled
elementary and high school pupils from its more than 400 schools. Two tests
were conducted. In the first, 25 of 4,018 students tested positive for speed.

In the second, focusing only on junior-high students, 56 out of 1,288
students tested positive.

Ms Tharin said the test targeted students fitting the personality profile
of a drug user.

Those found using methamphetamines would be sent for rehabilitation at a
military camp in Kanchanaburi for 15 days.

After that, they must take another urine test. Those failing the test a
second time would be given ``Matrix treatment''.

Matrix is a four-month course applying psychological and social therapy
together with occupational training. Students are not required to stay at
hospitals while being cured.

Manop Kovitaya, chief of the Matrix intensive out-patient programme, said
only 30% of people treated returned to addiction.