Pubdate: Sun, 17 Oct 2004
Source: Nation, The (Thailand)
Copyright: 2004 Nation Multimedia Group
Contact:  http://www.nationmultimedia.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1963
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education)

CHAMLONG'S YOUTH WAR ON DRUGS

A "quality-of-life" training camp raising anti-drug awareness among Thai 
youth wrapped up recently under the leadership of Maj-General Chamlong 
Srimuang, who chairs the Dharma Centre in Ayutthaya province.

More than 1,200 young people from across the country attended his three-day 
anti-drug camp, which emphasised youth volunteers helping to get people 
free of addictive substances including drugs and alcohol.

Chamlong said the programme was developed with the cooperation of the Thai 
Health Promotion Foundation to promote awareness about the dangers faced in 
each community across the country.

"The government has carried out a war on drugs for more than a year, but it 
has not focused on youth groups. Children need to be educated about 
alcohol, tobacco and drugs in order to make safe decisions," Chamlong said.

The 1,200 students were encouraged to help pass on anti-drug information to 
others who did not attend the camp.
- ---