Medical Community Reels: Man Arrested for Methamphetamine Use Claims Gout Disease Requires Regular Drug Use to Walk
A 49-year-old man arrested in Udon Thani Province with 11 methamphetamine pills claimed the drug treats his gout and enables him to walk, a justification authorities rejected as they pursued drug possession charges.
Police from Chaiyawan Station arrested a man in possession of methamphetamine after he claimed to have gout disease requiring regular drug use to walk normally. On April 27, officers led by Deputy Superintendent Ratpol Phensongkram conducted a raid on a house in Moo 4, Kham Lao Subdistrict, Chaiyawan District, Udon Thani Province, following tips about drug-related activity. A search uncovered 11 methamphetamine pills, leading to the arrest of 49-year-old Prawit. Due to his claimed gout condition, he was unable to walk and had to be carried to the police vehicle. Prawit alleged that he suffers from gout and must use methamphetamine regularly because the drug cures his condition and allows him to walk normally. Authorities have taken him into custody and are pursuing legal charges for drug possession and use, with investigations underway to expand the investigation.
