BANGKOK, May 15 (TNA) – Public Health Minister, Somsak Thepsutin, has proposed amendment of the ministerial regulation that would allow authorities to seize the assets of anyone caught with even one methamphetamine pill. The proposal will be considered at a meeting of relevant agencies this Thursday.
Former Narcotics Suppression Bureau Commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Rewat Klinkesorn, praised and agreed with the new policy of the government to lower the minimum number of methamphetamine pills a person can be found to possess before it is considered a criminal act.
He urges the government to provide ample opportunities for drug users to seek treatment and rehabilitation. He believes that offering treatment should be prioritized over asset seizure for this group. However, he emphasizes that those who are given this opportunity but fail to take advantage of it should face the full consequences of the law, including asset forfeiture, if they are caught with even one pill.
He suggests that authorities should immediately seize the assets of individuals proven to be involved in drug trafficking. He believes that this measure will instill fear among drug users and drug dealers, as they are often more concerned about losing their assets than facing jail time.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Rewat also suggests that the government should create separate treatment centers for drug addicts, rather than sending them to prison, which could cause overcapacity in prison. Potential locations could be such as military camps or rural areas.
He raised a critical concern regarding the growing number of individuals suffering from severe drug-induced psychosis, leading to violence against family members and community members.
He estimates that this group comprises approximately 30,000 individuals. He urges authorities to take immediate action to remove them from society, emphasizing the need for specialized treatment facilities.
He proposes utilizing isolated islands or remote areas to establish secure rehabilitation centers, where these drug users can receive intensive treatment and medication.
He believes that isolating this group will instill fear and encourage them to seek help, as they may be resistant to treatment if left in their current environments. He warns that inaction will lead to an increase in tragic incidents of violence, such as drug addicts killing their parents.
Meanwhile, Secretary-General of the Office of Narcotics Control Board Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanurat Lakboon has clarified that the existing law already allows for asset forfeiture even if no drugs are physically found. He emphasizes that the focus should be on identifying individuals involved in drug trafficking, regardless of the number of pills seized. -819 (TNA)
