Drug raids, seizures, arrests and jailing drug abusers are the main features in the 'new' Narcotics Control Act presented by the military regime. The United Nations has urged governments to be more aware of the human dignity of drug addicts, "as they are not criminals". In the past 12 months Thailand has softened its traditionally punitive approach to the problem by focusing less on trying to achieve "targets" in drug crackdowns, and instead turning its interest to treating drug addicts as patients. About 80% of prisoners in the country have been convicted on drug charges, but most are "drug addicts, drug carriers and those who possess small amount of drugs," she said. She suggested the government cancel jail penalties for drug addicts and those with small amounts of drugs and instead use "administrative measures" to punish them.

Source: Bangkok Post November 29, 2017 21:45 UTC