Patients NOT Criminals

Drugs – Treatment Works!

‘JJ’ Jeremy Johanson

In recent years the drug menace has become a major concern in Thailand. As with the rest of the world, Thailand’s focus shifted from cherishing relationships to cherishing money, and with this came the methamphetamine boom of the past 2 decades. It got to the point where very young children were unsuspectingly fed Yaba spiked orange juice to get them hooked on the substance.

Then last year we saw the ironhanded crackdown on the illicit drug trade with thousands of people killed during the process. While this policy focused on the supply side, it became important to also think of the demand side… those who were hooked on the drugs, but were afraid to look for help.

The first aid came from Princess Ubolrattana and the ‘To Be Number 1’ campaign, under the Ministry of Public Health. The program stresses extending help to those in need. Instead of casting out your classmate comrades, as seen in other societies, Thai children are taught that it is their responsibility to actively go and help a fellow child in need, that this problem it is not the problem of just one person or entity in the country, but the responsibility of all.

Thai drug abusers are now encouraged to come forward for help and treatment. Whereas in the past they might have been deemed criminals, the Royal Thai Government is asking everyone to be compassionate and view drug abusers as potential patients and not criminals, and help them regain their health and integrate a solid position in society. This is especially true when they return from successful treatment programs and need the moral support of the local community to facilitate their reintegration into a normal lifestyle.

If you or a friend is having a problem with substance abuse, you can contact:

Thanyarak Hospital for Drug Abuse

Tel: 0-2531-0080/4

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	Princess Ubolrattana “To solve the problem of youth drug use, you must create a program that really protects them, one that truly understands their needs. New priorities and assurance need to be created so that they will be proud of themselves, while at the same time, they must have fun. This can be achieved through the use a variety of activities.”
	Kofi Annan Secretary-General – United Nations “One of the most damaging misconceptions about drug use is that it is a permanent problem. The truth is that treatment for drug abuse can work, and can restore value and dignity to a person’s life. Millions of people worldwide have been directly affected by drug problems: those who are dependent, as well as their families. Their lives have been disrupted, their health undermined, their education interrupted, their jobs lost, their families broken. People with drug-related problems, and their family and friends, need to know that there is a way out, and that effective help is available in different forms, depending on the needs and situation of each individual. Today we have a better understanding of the mechanism of dependence. We know that dependence is a chronic and, in many cases, relapsing disorder. We know that, like many other chronic disorders, there are effective interventions that can help those affected to adopt productive lifestyles, avoid and reduce physical and mental health problems, improve family relationships, regain and retain child custody, and find better housing and employment opportunities. We also know that drug abuse treatment helps communities, by reducing criminality and the risks of transmission of blood-borne infectious diseases, particularly HIV/Aids, and by allowing them to benefit from the contributions of healthier, more productive and better integrated individuals and families. Policymakers need to bear in mind that treatment is a cost-effective way to tackle not only the health and social consequences of drug abuse, but also to reduce the associated costs of medical care, social welfare and criminal justice interventions.”
	Phongthep Thepkanjana Minister of Justice “The Royal Thai Government fully recognizes the ominous threats posed to mankind by narcotics drugs and the paramount need to illuminate the problem. When we implement drug control work, it seems that we put more emphasis on supply reduction and law enforcement. On the contrary, the work on demand reduction, particularly the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts and people with drug-related problems is also in focus. The stability and prosperity of the nation will very much depend upon individual’s well-being. Drug addicts should be cured while drug traffickers should be punished. Treatment work is aimed at three objectives: First, there should be no new drug addicts; Second, all existing drug addicts are under a proper treatment, rehabilitation, or continuing care program; And third, communities are empowered to protect themselves against drugs. In order to achieve this, the national policy on solving the problem of drug abuse and addiction has clearly stated that drug addicts are considered as ‘patients’, not criminals. Emphasizing the importance and effectiveness of drug treatment is one of our major strategic approaches. Drug abusers and addicts are separated from drug traffickers and dealers. They are encouraged to report themselves to the authorities for various treatments in different schemes. The self-reporting drug dealers are sent to the Do The Virtuous Deed Camp to make them stop their illegal activities as a tribute to their homeland. They will have no criminal record. The self-reporting drug abusers and addicts are sent for treatment and rehabilitation. But, this is not an easy task. It consumes time and requires patience both from the patients and all concern persons. In order to create the sustainability in solving the drug addiction problem, treatment of drug addicts should be done in complete procedures starting from treatment, rehabilitation, aftercare and reintegration. The positive attitude of the general public and concerned persons towards addicts who have undergone treatment is needed. The opportunity should be provided for them to get a job or to continue their studies. Cooperation from every sector in the society will help these people who are victims of drugs to return to be good citizens of our country.”
	Kim Hak-Su Executive Secretary – UN ESCAP “Treatment must address not just the current behavioural medical condition, but also the individual’s future viability and society. At the societal level, without proper treatment, the economic and human costs associated with drug abuse would continue to escalate. Young people who have developed substance dependency and substance related problems are often treated in programs for adults. There are simply not enough treatment centres and counsellors to meet the developmental and age-specific needs of young substance-dependent abusers. The predominant form of treatment across the Asian and Pacific region appears to be incarceration, often called ‘compulsory treatment’, in large prison-like facilities. Such treatment is usually more punitive than rehabilitative. Enforced labour and indoctrination sessions are common features of many such programs in the region. More attention needs to be given to educational and vocational training, especially for young inmates. Also, the relapse rate tends to be unacceptably high. This has a detrimental effect on the long-term prognosis for young people, with high economic and social costs. By investing in treatment programs that focus on long-term developmental outcomes, we can help substance-dependent young persons steer away from committing crimes, harming others and hurting themselves, to recovery towards healthy and productive lives. This requires a commitment by all concerned. Society has to make a resource commitment to according priority to comprehensive, long-term treatment, with compassion and care that will yield fundamental behaviour change on the part of young substance-dependent persons. Such change means that the factors that propelled young people into substance use in the first place have to be addressed.”
	Akira Fujino Representative – UNODC Regional Centre for East Asia and the Pacific “Drug dependence is a complex human and societal phenomenon. It must be addressed from a three-fold perspective: interdiction, prevention and treatment. None of these interventions alone is sufficient, but in combination they are effective. A common misconception about drug dependency is that it is a permanent problem. In truth, however, treatment for drug abuse can be effective, and can turn a drug dependent’s life around for the better. UNODC, therefore, chose the theme of this year to be ‘Drugs: Treatment Works’, which aims to rectify the incorrect thinking in this area and to demonstrate that former drug dependents can undergo treatment successfully and be productive members of society. In this region, as elsewhere in the world, drug abuse cuts across age, class, ethnic and gender lines. The various groups suffering from drug problems have different needs. Women, the young, the poor, refugees and ethnic minorities need easier access to earlier intervention and services. Once in treatment, drug dependents may need job-training and referral, assistance in finding housing and reintegrating into society. Backed by scientific knowledge accumulated through scientific research, treatment has proven to be promising. The UNODC has received countless stories of people worldwide who have left their drug dependent lifestyles behind and either started or resumed productive livelihoods, become more committed parents, and found value to their lives that they previously had no concept of.”
	Yongyoot Wichaidit Vice Minister of Public Health “One of the important factors for success in drug treatment work is ‘attitude’. Drug abusers and addicts have always received social stigma from society and they are normally regarded as criminals. This negative attitude of the public towards the abusers and the addicts has unfortunately caused barriers in convincing them to receive treatment. At present, we are trying to emphasize to the public that drug abusers or addicts should be regarded as patients not criminals. A campaign on ‘changing’ the attitude may primarily focus on the youth. So far, our project called ‘To Be Number One’ has been well-carried out in drug prevention and treatment. Drug treatment will help to solve social problems, reduce crime, bring back a healthy person to a family, contribute to a workplace with a qualified employee and finally bring peace back to society. I truly believe that with all of our efforts, we will be able to help the drug abusers and addicts to return to their normal life and eventually reintegrate themselves into society.”