Two die from heroin overdose in Samut Prakan

Two men have been found dead from a heroin overdose. They were found in a toilet in Samut Prakan Province, south of Bangkok, last night. Police reported that there were no signs of violence on either of the men.

Thai Rath reports that the men were aged 46 and 48. Police reported that they were found in the Samrong Nua Sub-district, and one of the dead men was still holding a syringe in his hand when the police discovered the bodies.

Their families were notified and came to collect the bodies for funeral ceremonies and religious rites.

Earlier this year the Office of the Narcotics Control Board reported that heroin has made a comeback on the Thai drug scene with more young people, mostly unaware of hidden dangers and problems with addiction, were using the narcotic.

A report noted the rising number of young people aged between 15-18 admitted to rehabilitation programs for heroin addiction.

In 2017, 3,744 youths attended rehab for heroin addiction. But that number had increased to 3,980 by 2019. In the 8 months since October last year, the number of young heroin addicts already surpassed 2,900, mostly of new addicts. The report by the ONCB noted that 1 in 3 heroin addicts across Thailand were young users.

Many of the young addicts reported that they were under the impression the substance was not harmful to their health and thought it was some kind of powder that caused a euphoric trance and wasn’t dangerous.

SOURCE: Thai Residents | Thai Rath