Ministry of Defense opens academic forum Looking for amphetamine substitutes Alternative solutions to community drug problems

Bangkok: Pol. Col. Thawee Sodsong, Minister of Justice Chaired a workshop to develop options for managing the methamphetamine problem related to treatment, production, and development of methamphetamine substitutes. with experts, academics, and officials working and expert pharmacists join together to find guidelines Pol. Col. Thawee said that currently the overall number of drug users is more than 800,000 people, approximately 300,000 people do not receive treatment. Use probation to receive medication and return to the community. Today's forum will exchange medical and pharmacist guidelines for finding new drugs to replace amphetamines to treat and treat people addicted to amphetamines. Under the concept of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and Harm Reduction under the supervision of a medical professional, such as heroin with metholone to help replace it. In the past, the government has been successful in cracking down. A large number of people were arrested and sent to prison. But in the treatment grou p, we must take care and find new methods to use. For this forum, two main issues will be discussed: 1. Finding ways for methamphetamine addicts to access treatment services. and develop drugs that are effective in treating methamphetamine addicts. Because right now there is no direct cure. The drugs that can be used are drugs that do not have clear indications for use (Off Label) and are all off-list drugs. making it difficult for patients to reach 2. Possibility of using the policy 'Amphetamine replacement medicine' under the supervision of a medical professional As for the proposal to declare cannabis flowers as a drug, Pol. Col. Thawee confirmed the proposal from the Ministry of Justice and Narcotics Control Board regarding marijuana policy The Ministry of Public Health is in the process of enacting regulations that After canceling marijuana Kratom was removed from drugs in 2022 and there are no measures to control marijuana at this time. It has affected many marijuana users to the point of being a prob lem, especially among children and youth. Marijuana use has increased 10 times, which Pheu Thai Party MPs themselves Still asking for marijuana to be turned back into a drug. As a result of his meeting at the World Drug Problem Solving Forum, other countries did not accept cannabis as a drug. The Ministry of Justice is therefore of the opinion that marijuana can be used for medical purposes and research, but recreational use is prohibited. Therefore, while there is still no law to control marijuana, Let it be announced. Designate inflorescences and extracts from cannabis plants as narcotics. According to the Drug Code Source: Thai News Agency