The agreements, signed on Tuesday and Wednesday (Feb 10-11) brought together Phuket Provincial Police, Region 8 Police, district offices, local administrations, public health officials and community leaders to tackle drug abuse under the national strategy, with authorities reiterating that drug users should be treated as patients and supported back into society.
In Thalang District, three separate MoU signing ceremonies were held on Wednesday (Feb 11).
At 10am, Cherng Talay Police Station signed an MoU with network partners at Baan Pasak, Moo 4, and Baan Layan, Moo 6, Cherng Talay. The ceremony was presided over by Thalang District Chief Siwat Rawangkul, with Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum and Cherng Talay Police Superintendent Pol Col Ekkarat Plaiduang attending.
Later at 2pm, Sakhu Police Station signed a similar MoU at Baan Nai Yang, Moo 1, and Baan Sakhu, Moo 3, Sakhu Subdistrict, with the ceremony held at the former Sakhu Tambon Administrative Organisation building (Sakhu OrBorTor). Mr Siwat assigned Phiphop Sukkhaw to preside over the event.
Earlier in the day at 9am, Thalang Police Station signed an MoU covering Thepkrasattri Subdistrict at Baan Don, Moo 4, and Baan Phru Somphan, Moo 8. The ceremony was held at the multipurpose building of Phru Somphan Mosque.
All three Thalang ceremonies were attended by police officers, district officials, subdistrict heads, village heads, public health officials and members of the Volunteer Defence Corps (OrSor).
Officials said the projects aim to integrate law enforcement with public health and community participation, focusing on community-based treatment and rehabilitation, prevention, monitoring and long-term community resilience.
KATHU, KAMALA, PATONG
In Kathu District, an MoU was signed at 2pm on Wednesday for Kamala Subdistrict at the FFI Meeting Room, Phuket FantaSea.
The ceremony was presided over by Kathu District Chief Akkarapol Sutthirak Jitsupap, with Pol Col Akanit Danpitaksat, Deputy Commander of Phuket Provincial Police, and Pol Col Anurak Prinyasathirakul, Superintendent of Kamala Police Station, attending.
Authorities said the agreement formalises cooperation between police, district officials and local partners to prevent drug abuse, provide treatment and rehabilitation, and strengthen community-level responses under the national strategy.
In Patong, a separate MoU was signed on Tuesday (Feb 10) at 1:30pm at the Senior Citizens Club Centre Building, Patong Municipality, covering Baan Kalim and Baan Khok Makham communities.
The ceremony was presided over by Pol Col Akanit Danpitaksat, with Patong Mayor Lalita Maneesri, Kathu District Chief Akkarapol Sutthirak Jitsupap, Patong Police Chief Pol Col Korakrit Khanthakrue, and representatives from public health and community development offices among the signatories.
Under the agreement, a Sustainable Subdistrict Operational Unit has been established in the Kalim and Khok Makham communities to coordinate drug prevention, treatment and rehabilitation efforts. The unit will operate for five months, from Feb 10 to July 10, 2026, integrating cooperation between Patong Police, Kathu District Office, Patong Municipality, community committees and village health volunteers.
‘DRUG USERS ARE PATIENTS’
Across all districts, officials stressed that drug addiction remains a problem affecting all sectors of society and requires urgent, coordinated action. The projects are based on the principle that drug users should be treated as patients who need care and rehabilitation, with communities playing a central role in prevention and long-term solutions.
Authorities said the MoUs mark a push to build “sustainable subdistricts” capable of systematically addressing drug problems, strengthening local communities and reducing drug-related harm across Phuket in line with the national strategy.