At first the tablets made life easier for Santhisuk: they helped him endure the long hours lugging heavy fabric bales in a Bangkok textiles factory. Gradually he noticed he was angrier and more aggressive on the days he skipped them. But it was only when arrested for a third time - and sent to rehabilitation at a Buddhist temple - that he admitted his addiction to methamphetamine. Now clean, the 19-year-old labourer is worrying about what will happen when he leaves the sanctuary of Wat Saphan and returns home. [continues 888 words]
A man was yesterday found guilty of cannabis possession at a London court after a failed attempt to have the case thrown out on the grounds that it infringed his right to private life under the Human Rights Act. Jerry Ham, 34, the former co-ordinator of a homelessness charity, argued that the amount he possessed - 1.75 grams, or less than a 16th of an ounce - was so small that prosecution amounted to a disproportionate and therefore unlawful response. His case was backed by Liberty, the human rights campaign group. [continues 642 words]
Alcohol awareness groups are concerned by a council's proposals to provide cheap drink in welfare centres to keep addicts off the streets. Several "wet centres" already operate around the country, but Camden council in London could break new ground by allowing the clubs to sell discounted beer and lager to alcoholics, instead of letting them bring drink in. They are to discuss possible sponsorship deals with breweries. Research found many street drinkers were not homeless, but chose to meet in the open air because they could not afford pub prices and did not want to drink alone. [continues 449 words]
