Pattaya unites community to tackle drug issues

Pattaya City held its second Show, Share, Connect event aimed at assessing the drug situation and fostering community unity in tackling drug problems.

The event kicked off at 9am on Tuesday, July 16 at the Chumsai Community Office, chaired by Banjong Banthuraprasit, Vice President of Pattaya City Council. Attendees included members of the Pattaya City Mayor’s working group, city council members, the Bang Lamung District Chief, heads of government agencies, private sector representatives, community leaders, educational administrators, and students from local schools.

The persistent drug epidemic has driven the government to focus on preventing and resolving drug issues. The policy distinguishes addicts as patients requiring treatment, while traffickers face judicial punishment. Swift action is essential to suppress drug trafficking and prevent at-risk groups from succumbing to drugs, necessitating community-wide collaboration alongside legal measures.

Thailand’s drug crisis has deeply affected children, youths, and citizens, often due to a lack of awareness and various risk factors. Consequently, Pattaya City administrators insist on inter-agency cooperation to mitigate and eventually eradicate the drug problem.

The Department for Prevention and Resolution of Drug Problems, Administrative Division, Office of the Permanent Secretary of Pattaya City, spearheaded this project to improve the efficiency of drug prevention and resolution efforts for the year.

The Show, Share, Connect event emphasised participation from all sectors in Pattaya to collectively monitor, prevent, and address drug addiction issues. Under the concept that drugs can be prevented with the cooperation of the community, the initiative will be held four times, rotating across four districts within Pattaya City.

Drug awareness

The goal is to seriously and sustainably combat and prevent the recurrence of drug problems, establish guidelines for integrated operations with various agencies, and build a robust community network for surveillance, leading to a concrete and enduring resolution to the drug epidemic.

“This event is a crucial step in uniting our community against the drug menace.”

The initiative also seeks to empower community leaders and residents by providing them with the tools and knowledge necessary to identify and address drug-related issues. This approach not only aims to reduce the immediate impact of drugs but also to foster a culture of prevention and vigilance within the community.

“We must work together to protect our children and create a safe environment for all.”

The comprehensive strategy involves educational campaigns, community engagement activities, and coordinated efforts between public and private sectors. This integrated approach is designed to address the root causes of drug abuse and provide sustainable solutions, reported Pattaya News.