Imagine a place where healing begins, where lives are mended with the strength of patience and dedication—a beacon of hope for those enshrouded in the night of substance dependency. This isn’t a work of fiction; it’s a reality at a drug addiction rehabilitation center nestled in the serene Phunphin district of Surat Thani province. Here, amidst the therapeutic calm, a man diligently works on a craft project, channeling his energies into something tangible—a step on the transformative journey to recovery. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)
The battle against addiction is a relentless one, and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) just unveiled their latest strategy—a robust rehabilitation and stabilisation programme for over 7,000 individuals grappling with mental health challenges triggered by illicit drug use. Spearheaded by Pol Lt Gen Phanurat Lakboon, the acting secretary-general of the ONCB, this initiative emerged from a meticulous survey aimed at pinpointing those in dire need of a helping hand.
With the numbers crunched and the data laid bare, the survey’s findings have spurred a mission to usher identified individuals through the healing corridors of Rakjai centres—sanctuaries of rehabilitation scattered across Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachin Buri, Ubon Ratchathani, and Kanchanaburi provinces. These havens are the fruit of collaboration between ONCB, the Ministry of Public Health, and military personnel—a trinity of support committed to nurturing minds back to health.
Pol Lt Gen Phanurat Lakboon paints a picture of a future where a stabilisation programme stands as the steadfast companion to those emerging from the clutches of addiction. This programme is a lifeline especially designed for individuals whose personal environments—whether it be family or community—are not yet equipped to provide the scaffolding needed for a sturdy recovery.
An exciting dialogue has been initiated regarding the potential locales for this stabilisation programme—a dialogue promising the blossoming of these facilities in the hearts of Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Nakhon Phanom. In this endeavor, the disciplined ranks of the military will provide the human resource, while the Ministry of Public Health will ensure these hubs of hope are up to the mark with the proper standards and training.
Post-discussion winds after sitting down with ministry and law enforcement representatives, the ONCB now looks to kindle collaborations with titans in various ministries—Interior, Labour and Social Security, and Human Development—to craft occupational training programmes. These programmes aim not just to rehabilitate, but to equip those in the recovery process with tools for a triumphant re-entry into society’s embrace.
Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang has shared a vision resonating with the heartbeats of freedom and choice—those seeking refuge in the Rakjai centres will do so on their own volition. Once within, they will not only find respite and rehabilitation but will be empowered through occupational training that promises a patch of sky after a stormy night.
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