It’s part of an effort in which the ministry expects to have opened centres nationwide by the end of this year, said the minister Dr Cholnan Srikaew yesterday (Nov 4), reports Bangkok Post.
They are being opened under the campaign "One Province, One Mini Thanyarak", part of the Ministry of Public Health’s Quick Win campaign, or policies which the ministry aims to make happen in 100 days or by December.
He said the Princess Mother National Institute on Drug Abuse Treatment (PMNIDAT) and six regional Thanyarak Hospitals are behind the Mini Thanyarak network push.
"We hope rehabilitation services in every province will help reduce the number of narcotic drug users," he said.
PMNIDAT and Thanyarak hospitals are opening the Mini Thanyarak centres. They also offer advice and standards for treating drug users.
Opas Karnkawinpong, permanent secretary of the ministry, said hospitals will turn separate buildings into rehab centres. The ministry will also provide staff training and those hospitals must also have dedicated doctors and nurses to treat drug patients.
"When each province has its Mini Thanyarak centre, travel costs for patients will fall, providing easier access to those who want to stop using drugs," he said.
In a separate development, the Ministry of Public Health confirmed its plan to change rules regarding methamphetamine possession. If the proposal is approved by the Cabinet, only a person who possesses no more than five methamphetamine pills will be regarded as a drug user, not a dealer.
According to current rules, those who possessed 10 pills or less are to be considered drug users.
Dr Kittisak Aksornwong, the ministry’s acting deputy permanent secretary, told the media on Friday (Nov 3), the experts had a long discussion about the matter. The decision was made based on information from the Department of Mental Health, Food and Drug Administration, police and related agencies.
The conclusion will be submitted to the public health minister for approval, he said, adding public hearings will be held before it is sent to the cabinet for approval.