Dr. Suphan Sreethumma, director-general of
the Public Heath Ministry’s Department of Medical Services.
Surasak Huasoon
The Tanyarak Rehabilitation Institute educated reporters on the
effects of drugs on the brain, body and behavior in hopes of getting the
word out to drug abusers to seek rehabilitation.
Dr. Suphan Sreethumma, director-general of the Public Heath Ministry’s
Department of Medical Services, presided over the Sept. 19 workshop. He
noted the government has contracted with the Tanyarak Institute and
Tanyarak hospitals in six regions to run drug-rehab programs.
The center and its hospitals have six priorities, including setting
service standards, rehabilitating severely addicted drug users,
guaranteeing the quality of rehab programs for all drugs, developing
jobs, creating a drug-prevention network, and publicizing the effects of
drugs with the public.
Dr. Viroj Veerachai of the Tanyarak Institute said the Office of the
Narcotics Control Board estimates 1.2 million people are addicted to
illegal drugs, but only 150,000-200,000 have sought or been sent to
rehab. The overwhelming drug of choice is methamphetamines, either
tablets such as ya ba, which is mixed with caffeine, or as crystal meth,
which is more addictive.
Both have effects on the brain, he said, causing hallucinations,
aggressive behavior, self-destruction, depression and even suicide.
Users have been found as young as 12.
Most users, however, have not admitted themselves for rehabilitation
while most addicts receiving help have been abusing the drugs for over
3-5 years, he said.
