Pattaya is planning three programs to prevent and cure drug use by youths at area schools next year.
Wilaiwan Phuluanglue, drug prevention and rehabilitation chief at the Pattaya Public Health Department, told a Nov. 29 meeting at city hall that all three projects are organized under the umbrella of the To Be No. 1 Foundation, the royally backed national anti-drug program.
The first project – the National Youth Immunity Project – begins this month at Pattaya School No. 3 where students purportedly will “receive immunization for their minds,” Wilaiwan said.
Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh (right) chairs the first meeting of Pattaya’s anti-drug campaign for 2014.
The new year will see the introduction of a “Friend’s Heart Clinic” in each of the To Be No. 1 Friend’s Corners in city schools. First established in Pattaya in 2009, Friend’s Corners are informational centers where youthful ambassadors teach fellow students about the evils of drug use.
The Heart Clinic will offer screening for drug use and allow schools to send students for treatment.
The third project will cover rehabilitation of drug users, with programs established at all 11 city schools and Banglamung, Bhodhisamphan Pittayakarn, Pattaya Arunothai and Satit Udomseuksa schools.
Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh said To Be No. 1 has been a positive influence on city youth. One example of that, he said, were the teams of youths from Pattaya Arunothai School, Pattaya School No. 8 and Pattaya School No. 7 who will complete in the To Be No. 1 Dancercise Central-Eastern Championships Jan. 25-26.
