War on drugs begins soon

PHUKET TOWN: Phuket’s part in a national plan to obliterate illegal drugs within three months will be revealed when Governor CEO Pongpayome Vasaputi speaks on the topic on Friday. Police will have drug control as part of their duties, even if they are assigned to traffic, administration or management, said Pol Lt Col Paween Pongsirin, Superintendent of Phuket Town Police Station. “We will force the drug dealers to surrender and help drug addicts to find a cure,” he told the Gazette today. “We will also follow up to check on their behavior once they are free. “I really believe that if everyone co-operates on this matter, the drugs situation will improve.” Police statistics show the number of people arrested in Phuket for offenses involving ya bah (methamphetamine), heroin, marijuana, ecstasy and substance abuse was 612 in 1999, 591 in 2000, 589 in 2001 and 531 in 2002. From January 1-25 this year, 43 people were taken into custody for drug-related offenses.