Pubdate: Mon, 03 Feb 2003
Source: Bangkok Post (Thailand)
Copyright: The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2003
Contact:  http://www.bangkokpost.co.th/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/39
Author: Wassana Nanuam

ARMY TO TURN MORE CAMPS INTO REHABILITATION CENTRES

The army will this month turn 37 military camps into rehabilitation centres 
for drug addicts.

Maj-Gen Jongsak Panitkul, director-general of the Directorate of Civil 
Affairs, said the army would open applications for male and female addicts 
aged 15-35 years to join the army-run Wiwat Ponlamuang anti- drug school 
scheme.

Teenage addicts must be accompanied by their parents. They will be sent to 
one of 37 military camps which can accommodate 100 addicts each. The 
applicants will learn military discipline and receive treatment for 45 days.

Maj-Gen Jongsak said one of the 37 camps would be reserved for women. The 
camp was run by the 12th Army Circle in Prachin Buri, he said. Three 
intakes of addicts have been scheduled.

Meanwhile, 5,000 addict inmates have been released from military camps 
after completing a six-month rehabilitation course during which they also 
learnt farming skills.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday presided over a ceremony to 
mark the release of the inmates.
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MAP posted-by: Beth