Ex-Drug Police Chief Offers to Help Tackle Narcotics Crisis
A former narcotics police chief offered his expertise to tackle Thailand's drug crisis, proposing a new approach to handle 2,000 drug offenders he says are caught in a cycle of arrest and reoffense.
Former narcotics police commander Pol. Lt. Gen. Rewat Klinklaekaew visited Bhumjaithai Party headquarters on July 21 and met with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Deputy Interior Minister Worsathit Liangprasit. He denied that he came to join the party, saying he had arranged to meet with Chada Thaisetkasem, an Uthai Thani MP, and coincidentally ended up at the party office.
Rewat revealed he wanted to discuss the drug crisis with the government officials, particularly regarding approximately 2,000 drug-addicted individuals nationwide who need to be apprehended for public safety. He criticized the current cycle where police arrest offenders repeatedly, doctors prescribe medication, and they later abandon the drugs and reoffend, resulting in deaths. He stated he is willing to contribute his expertise to help solve this issue without accepting any official position or salary, instead serving as part of a support team if the government adopts this as a policy priority.
