3,400 'addicted to drugs in Phuket'
PHUKET: Phuket has far more drug addicts than was realised, it was revealed at a meeting at Provincial Hall yesterday (August 15).
Tanyaluk Sakoot
Thursday 16 August 2012, 11:16AM
Phuket Provincial Public Health Office nurse Jehaleumoh Pantarakit said, “We originally thought we would treat around 200 people per year.
“But after the plan was revised we found there were far more drug addicts in Phuket than we initially thought. So we increased the budget and now hope to treat around 3,400 per year.”
The meeting, chaired by Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha, was held to update officials on progress since a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by them on Feb 14 as part of a drive to decrease drug use in Phuket and help rehabilitate addicts.
Under the MoU, steps include building a new drug rehabilitation facility to treat addicts, identifying those taking drugs in the community, and encouraging them to undergo treatment.
Police will identify drug risk areas of the community and also refer addicts to the new centre which, when completed, will be the fourth in Phuket.
