Chonburi Deputy Gov. Adisak
Thepass listens to progress reports on the 90-day x-ray mission.
Vittaya Yoondorn
Police and officials from the National Command Center for Drugs are
targeting selected Pattaya-area neighborhoods for its new 90-day “x-ray”
crackdown on drugs.
At a Dec. 18 meeting, Chonburi Deputy Gov. Adisak Thepass listened to
progress reports on the “Children Returned to Communities” program launched
Nov. 1. The project, which promises to “x-ray” communities for illegal drug
use, is being carried out in the Sai neighborhood in Pattaya and the Thung
Rhang and Rong Po areas in Huay Yai.
Theerasak Jatipong, head of Pattaya Peace and Stability Maintenance
Department, said the program’s goals include cutting the number of minor
drug dealers in neighborhoods, putting addicts into rehabilitation,
encouraging drug users to get jobs, preventing relapses and increasing
education.
Official action to date, however, has little connection to rehab, employment
or education, with Theerasak reporting action to date includes merely
setting up police checkpoints, stopping and searching those found in alleys
and small sois, and having volunteers search targeted groups and tourists.
Other projects begun include installation of 20 new closed-circuit
television cameras in drug-trafficking areas, establishment of a police
command post, advertising the program, sending mobile units to target
university students and providing education to families.
