Pubdate: Sun, 09 May 2004 Source: Bangkok Post (Thailand) Copyright: The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2004 Contact: http://www.bangkokpost.co.th/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/39 Author: Supradit Kanwanich WAR'S NOT OVER YET The government's successes in clamping down on drug trafficking have been considerable, but the pressure has to be kept up before a real victory can be declared Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra launched the War on Drugs on January 3, 2003 in response to His Majesty the King's comments on December 4, 2002 about the dangers to the nation's youth presented by drug use. It was estimated that over three million people in the country were addicted to drugs, mostly ya ba (amphetamines). A large number of those were said to be school-age children in cities and small villages across the nation. Despite crticism from local and international human rights organisations on the high number of unexplained deaths associated with the drug war, most communities praised the government for its real and noticeable successes in curtailing the drug trade. The prime minister declared victory on December 3 last year, but the government's recent actions show they are aware that a continued effort is needed to win over the drug problem decisively and definitely. The PM presided over a Cabinet meeting on March 8 of this year to come up with a strategy and tactics for a new 90-day comprehensive campaign on drugs, which started in early March and lasts until June 5 as a part of the third phase of the War on Drugs. In the meeting it was clear that the government's assets seizures and forfeiture measures provided for in the Money Laundering Control Act of 1999 are the favoured weapons in the newest offensive, which will go after the big fish in the drug trade. ALL AGENCIES INVOLVED Deputy Prime Minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, also the Director of the National Command Centre for Combating Drugs (NCCD), said at the meeting in early March that because of the drug campaign the availability of drugs has been tremendously reduced _ especially methamphetamines, but also opium, heroin and marijuana. ''However, the drug interceptions by officials have made the ya ba and heroin trading groups divert their smuggling routes to the Northeast instead (of Bangkok),'' he told the PM. Moreover, some areas, especially along the borders, have reported a substantial anount of ongoing drug trade and distribution. A recent ABAC (Assumption University) poll revealed that 96.3 percent of the public was still concerned that the drug problem would make a strong comeback despite the recent successes. The general said to eradicate the drugs from communities and convince the public that the government has a very strong determination to tackle the drug problem, the NCCD would focus all of its resources on target areas in the nation's towns and cities and along the border. The major task will be to crack down on the networks of the major drug traffickers and also to take criminal and disciplinary actions against state officials who reportedly have connections with the drug dealers. ''We will go after corrupted state officials and prominent drug dealers in schools, workplaces, dormitories, rented houses and congested areas within 90 days,'' said the general. The general said that pressure would be put on the drug pushers to turn themselves in to the authorities or they would face arrest and forfeiture of their assets. Drug abusers and addicts will be encouraged to go into the rehabilitation process. He also said strict measures would be imposed to control the drug distributing areas _ schools, workplaces, service and entertainment spots _ which would be under the close watch of the police and also officials at relevant agencies. At the meeting it was made clear that all government agencies will be involved in this latest anti-drug push. For example, schools and educational institutes will be supervised under the Education Ministry, while factories and other sorts of workplaces will be under the Labour Ministry. Youth hangouts in Bangkok will be supervised by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and those upcountry by provincial operation centres. Creative, alternative activities such as part-time jobs or camping trips will be promoted as well for students during vacations by the Education and Labour ministries. The Thai Armed Forces and Internal Security Operation Command were assigned to intercept drug smugglers and to strenghthen their presence in the villages and communities along the border. Legal action against the major drug traffickers at the national and provincial levels would be taken care of by the Royal Thai Police Office, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), the Anti Money Laundering Office and the Revenue Department. ''Every ministry and all departments must take responsibility, especially for the actions of state officials involved with drugs or who overlook the (drug) problems,'' Gen Chavalit insisted. He told the premier that the new 90-day campaign on drugs was aimed to create unity between civil, police and military officials and to show commitment and determination to solve the drug problem in the country. GOING FOR THE MONEY An ONCB official said that corrupt officials, drug traffickers and financiers would have charges brought against them for offences of the narcotics control acts of 1976 and 1991 and the Money Laundering Control Act of 1999, as well as on matters relating to tax evasion. Asset forfeitures from drug dealing would be turned over to the Fund for the Protection and Suppression of Drugs. Those assets include cash, bank deposits, residences, land title deeds, vehicles, gold bars, ornaments and all sorts of other valuables. ''During the first and second phases of the War on Drugs (from February1-October 26, 2003), we confiscated assets worth over two billion baht The rest of the major traffickers will face the same fate soon,'' he said. The official said that 1,946 corrupt state officials had been blacklisted by June of last year because of information gotten from complaints, investigations and previous information, and another 127 cases were being probed further, while accusations against 268 officials were found to be groundless. According to an ONCB report, drug distribution has been rapidly decreased since the declaration of victory in the War on Drugs. Production of methamphetamines in the country has been way down. But the report warns that without further serious suppression and monitoring, the drug scourge might return to former levels. The heroin trade has been reported to be still alive, with financiers moving in to boost distribution for local trading and also to ship out of the country. Marijuana is reportedly being smuggled in over the northeastern border. Ecstasy, a kind of drug favoured by well-off youngsters at night entertainment places, is being smuggled from the southern border and being bought up by small and medium-scale pushers. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D