UDON THANI: Officials were stunned to discover that one-fifth of the military draft candidates who reported in Muang district on Friday tested positive for drugs.
A total of 495 men aged 21 from six tambons reported for the annual draft, held in a hall at the CentralPlaza Udonthani shopping centre on Friday. The process included physical examinations and urine tests for drugs, and 97 men or 20% tested positive.
"The 20% figure is shocking. In fact, urine tests (at previous draft assemblies) have found drug users every day but the number was not as high as today's," Muang Udon Thani district chief Wacharin Sutalawadee said.
Those who tested positive, regardless of whether they ended up being drafted or not, would be sent for drug rehabilitation later, he said.
"From now on, officials must watch out in targeted villages and drug abusers must be brought to rehabilitation soon," Mr Wacharin said.