Juvenile consultation clinics to open across country

Juvenile consultation clinics to open across country

The Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection has opened consultation clinics countrywide to provide advice to children in a bid to stop them ending up behind bars.

Veerayuth Sukcharoen, the department's director-general, said that the consultation service will be run from all 77 youth detention centres and 18 juvenile training centres across the country.

"Presently, there are about 8,000 children at the youth detention and juvenile training centres. Most of them were arrested on charges of drug possession and use, followed by stealing. Most of them come from broken homes," he said.

"This attempt aims to help decrease the number of children who commit crimes and spend their young lives behind bars, and it also aims to turn the kids from burdens on the country into people who move the country forward."

Niwat Meenayothin, assistant to the justice minister, said advice and suggestions from veteran psychologists, social workers and probation officers will be given free of charge to children, parents and the public.

He said young people are crucial resources for the nation and will shape the future of the country, but some have been affected by fast-changing social, economic and environmental situations and do not think enough before acting.

"So, the consultation clinic was established to provide advice regarding a child's behaviour to everyone who needs it. If the family, the first and basic social unit of the society, is strong, it would serve as a shield for children to withstand any problem and obstacle they might face in future," he said.

Arrested teenagers agree with the advice of Mr Niwat.

A 17-year-old boy called Bai said he never listened to his parent's advice or warnings, and friends were very influential over his behaviour and decisions.

"At that time, my thoughts and behaviour depended on my friends and I did not listen to my parents. Maybe, it is because they did not know how to understand me. So, it would be better to have someone who knows the way to advise and warn us in order to make us think twice before doing something," he said.

Bai is currently at the Ban Mutita Male Juvenile Training Centre for amphetamines, crystal meth and premeditated murder offences. He plans to complete his secondary school education at the centre and then a higher level of education after he is released.

A 20-year-old called Big, who was arrested for drug dealing and has spent the last three years at Ban Pranee Training Centre for Girls, said many teens are afraid to talk to their parents and other family members. Talking to a person their own age would make more sense, she said. "Besides good advice, adults should set a good example through their behaviour and actions as these are the most powerful influences to shape a child's behaviour and personality," she said.

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