Public disagrees with 5-meth pill criteria to classify drug addicts: survey
An opinion survey found that most people disagree with a government directive that treats those found with five meth pills as addicts, to distinguish them from sellers, according to a recent survey.
The poll also showed a disagreement with forcing addicts to undergo mandatory treatment instead of going to jail.
The survey was carried out by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA Poll) among 1,310 random respondents from around the country from March 18 to 20.
The Public Health Ministry published a directive in February that allows people arrested for being in possession of five meth pills to be classified as addicts, not drug pushers, so that they would be eligible for mandatory drug rehabilitation instead of facing the kind of legal action taken against sellers.
The Public Health Ministry and the Office of Narcotics Control Board said the measure would allow drug addicts to turn over a new leaf instead of being imprisoned and losing opportunities in life.
Asked whether they support the classifying of addicts based on their possession of no more than five meth pills:
Totally disagree: 78.85%
Totally agree: 7.79%
Rather disagree: 7.79%
Rather agree: 5.50%
No comment: 0.07%
Asked whether they support the principle of allowing drug addicts to be treated like patients instead of being sent to jail:
Totally disagree: 67.40%
Totally agree: 12.60%
Rather agree: 9.85%
Rather disagree: 9.85%
No comment: 0.30%
Asked what they think is the reason for the increase in the use of narcotics now, key responses included (more than one answer could be given):
It’s easy to buy meth pills: 57.63%
Meth pills are cheap: 56.79%
It’s easy to buy marijuana: 36.26%
It’s easy to buy kratom leaves and kratom drinks: 35.57%
Government’s drug suppression policy lacks efficiency: 35.27%
Marijuana is cheap: 34.27
Drug prevention measures are not efficient: 30.08%.
