Drug Rehab Program Launched

PHUKET TOWN: The Phuket Governor’s office has announced the start-up of a new confidential drug treatment program to provide counselling and treatment for substance abusers. The Phuket Drug Prevention and Suppression Center was launched by the governor’s office in conjunction with provincial health officials as part of a nationwide initiative by the prime minister’s office to deal with drug addicts as patients, not criminals. In announcing the program, officials stressed that information on those taking part in the program would be kept confidential. An individual’s profile would remain with the health department and not be shared with other agencies following treatment at government hospitals or local health centers. For further information on the program, call the provincial health department hotline (01-6065347) or the governor’s office (211001).