Chill of a new 'war on drugs'

EDITORIAL

Published: 31/01/2012 at 02:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung has taken over as the general in charge of the next big battle in the war on drugs. The old commander, Thaksin Shinawatra, is in no position to lead the charge again. What is remarkable about Mr Chalerm's announcement of the next crackdown is its similarity to that of his mentor's in Dubai.

Back in 2003, Thaksin warned the street peddlers and drug carriers to stop selling drugs or they would suffer the consequences. Mr Chalerm, in his TV appearance on Saturday, sounded much like Thaksin. It is alarming to hear Mr Chalerm predict again that drug dealers are going to die in the crackdown. It is depressing to hear how little progress has been made in nine years. When Thaksin, as a very popular prime minister, announced his war on drugs in 2003, he could talk tough. But the ex-police officer more than backed up his threats. He effectively cut the police loose from the rule of law. In the resulting nationwide "war on drugs" more than 2,600 people were killed. They included clearly innocent bystanders, as well as hundreds of suspected petty drug dealers, many of whom were undoubtedly a scourge on their neighbourhoods but still deserved their day in court more than a bullet to the brain.

Thaksin blithely told the country, and later an appalled world, that those killed during his crackdown died at the hands of drug gangs. He insisted then, and still does, that the gang leaders and "Mr Bigs" of Thailand's drug trade were afraid that the street dealers would try to cut a legal agreement with the police, and therefore the gangs killed them before they could talk.

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jonny
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Discussion 12 : 03/02/2012 at 12:15 AM12
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2500 is a "crime against humanity", 4,000,000 is a statistic.

But of course, the answer is right in front of us. If only we could grab it. Alas, blockaded at the border where all the substitute poison comes through instead.

FDA-approved for treatment of children. Desoxyn. That's methamphetamine. Medicine.

I don't know what the 4 million are taking. But I have a feeling their addiction is killing them. Desoxyn is medicine. That's why it wouldn't kill them like poison. Perhaps that's why it can't find it's merciful way through the maze.
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blobber
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Discussion 11 : 31/01/2012 at 09:55 PM11
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Discussion 7. Will you feel the same way if it is one of your family or friends who becomes one of the innocent victims. I', sure you won't be calling them collateral damage then. Also so how many innocent deaths is an acceptable number for you?
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johninbkk
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Discussion 10 : 31/01/2012 at 09:40 PM10
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Is it possible that the police were simply corrupt and inept, using bribery and disappearings to get their share of the drug money? TS claimed it was gang on gang violence. PAD blamed it all on TS (what don't they blame him for?). The police claim they were only defending themselves. I believe it was a police force out of control, given the interviews I've seen. If we fail to understand the true cause, history will repeat itself.
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felixqui
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Discussion 9 : 31/01/2012 at 09:02 PM9
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med142, D7.

Since we also "actually see what misery and harm drugs cause to families and other innocent people etc,", with alcohol, a particularly nasty drug of addiction, being a major cause of domestic violence, traffic deaths, and other crimes, as well as extremely unhealthy, and cigarettes of course being a leading cause of preventable deaths, do you also feel, to be logically consistent, that the owners of Singha, Heineken, Johnny Walker, and whatever, are also monsters, "Drug barons and dealers [with] no human rights"?

Do you, to be logically consistent, want to see every shop selling whisky, beer and Marlboro summarily shot for doing exactly the same things that heroin and marijuana dealers do; that is, selling a drug to consenting adults who freely choose to use it, knowing that some minority will go on to commit crimes or cause other serious social problems as a result?

There is no morally significant difference between using and selling marijuana, heroin or yaa baa, using or selling a nice Cabernet Merlot, Hennessey XO, or Marlboro Red.

We assume you would cheerfully order the summary execution of rather a lot of the Thai population.

Look at the news every day: a drunk runs his car into another, killing someone's father or child. A drunk beats his wife, and then goes for his own children after already drinking all the family food money. Alcohol is at least as bad as most illegal drugs, so whatever is proposed as acceptable for one must also apply equally to the other.
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geoffo
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Discussion 8 : 31/01/2012 at 07:33 PM8
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D1 , you seem to be saying Thaksins war was okay and this one will be also.

Drugs are a scourge but so is law enforcement without justice. After all , why stop with just drugs ?

Far fetched , well so was the notion of red provinces 3 years ago where no opposition is allowed.
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med142
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Discussion 7 : 31/01/2012 at 07:26 PM7
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Human rights,UN. Sorry people but Drug barons and dealers have no human rights. When they respect human rights then they will have same respect given to them. When people actually see what misery and harm drugs cause to families and other innocent people etc, then they will agree. What do the military call it friendly fire casualties if innocent people are caught up in the war although it is sad when it happens.
Look at the news everyday. A drug addict either kills someone or steals from others or people's homes or businesses because they want there fix. Ask these people should drug dealers and baron have human rights.
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fungus
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Discussion 6 : 31/01/2012 at 06:33 PM6
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Illegal drugs are an ugly problem and there are no easy solutions that will satisfy everyone. Experience has shown it must be a two pronged approach; agressive law enforcement and social/treatment programs to reduce demand and addition.

In any case, a high profile fight against illegal drugs is preferrable to the "business as usual" approach from the post coup governments.
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lungstib
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Discussion 5 : 31/01/2012 at 06:13 PM5
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A very sad day when people coolly consider the up coming deaths of a number of citizens of Thailand. Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs are legal and easily obtainable, but all others carry the risk of death? Rather harsh I think.
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raimund
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Discussion 4 : 31/01/2012 at 09:36 AM4
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If Chalerm asks for war he will get it. But this time he will be personally responsible for all innocent killings.The bad thing is that good police have to feel the brunt too.Dealers will shoot without warning. Good for all "Nak Suebs", to get rid off informants.
If police would have done its job properly ,there would be no need of such nonsense.But going strictly by law was never a priority, as long as money greases the hands.
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whatajoke
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Discussion 3 : 31/01/2012 at 08:04 AM3
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I'm sure this time around the police will be more careful to ensure that such a damaging figure of 2,500 deaths is averted, but it doesn't get to the heart of the matter. At least 2,500 police are likely suspected by the public in being complicit due to corrupt practices. Can you imagine the horror and govt action if this number of men in uniformed died in a war on drugs, similar to what Columbia experienced against Escobar in the eighties.
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