The drug situation in Thailand : the role of government and the police

FRANÇAIS :
La Thaïlande est confrontée depuis longtemps au problème de la drogue et a essayé différentes stratégies nationales préventives, curatives et répressives ainsi que des stratégies de coopération internationales. Les résultats récents, concernant la réduction des cultures d'opium dans le Triangle d'Or et l'arrestation de quelques gros trafiquants, sont encourageants. Trois enjeux restent de taille : l'utilisation du pays comme Plaque Tournante du trafic de drogues illicites, l'augmentation importante de la consommation d'amphétamines chez les jeunes, la méconnaissance des policiers thaïlandais envers la législation anti-drogue et leur manque de formation à l'appréhension du problème. L'efficacité des stratégies préventives et des programmes de traitement doit être une priorité de l'Etat.
ENGLISH :
Thailand has long dealt with the drug problem and has used several strategies to control it, including promulgating and amending drug laws, implementing drug suppression and prevention policies, co-operating with international organizations and, more recently, developing treatment facilities. Although Thailand has recently received positive results regarding reducing the opium cultivation area in the Golden Triangle and in arresting some major drug-trafficking individuals, three important issues still remain: (1) the continuation of using Thailand's advanced transportation system for the movement of illicit drug activities, (2) the rapid increase of amphetamine use among teenagers and (3) the Thai police officers' lack of concern about the drug problem and insufficient knowledge about drug laws. The article concludes that the Thai government must emphasize drug prevention strategies and the, interception of illicit transported drugs and motivate its police officers to more fully enforce drug laws. In addition, more research is needed to measure the effectiveness of the drug prevention strategies and treatment programs. (Author's abstract.)