Far too slowly, plans are being formulated for a new, properly up-to-date policy to fight use, abuse and trafficking in illegal drugs. Offices as diverse as the Ministry of Justice, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) are slowly bringing a viable plan into the public arena. It will come to naught unless government, at the highest levels, affirms it is past time to bring the battle against dangerous drugs into the 21st century.
No single man or office is behind the obvious need for such changes. But several public servants have laid out extensive and carefully considered plans. Charnchao Chainukij, the deputy permanent secretary of the Justice Ministry, has approached the problem from a practical point of view. In his view, it is past time to stop going after small fry drug abusers, while the "Mr Bigs" of this trade are free and, it seems, unthreatened by law enforcement.
Bluntly put, last decade's laws aren't helping to stamp out the drug problem. They have led to the often useless jailing of thousands of drug abusers who need help and support more than punishment. Mr Charnchao said recently that more than 80% of the nation's prisoners are behind bars on drug-related charges. The overcrowding is almost criminal itself, and the huge prison population encourages recidivism rather than reform.
Niran Pitakwatchara, of the NHRC, has come to the drug problem from a different viewpoint. The physician and human rights protector believes police, far too often, abuse their position. Dr Niran clearly believes the many tales of policemen planting drugs on suspects or even common citizens. Police trying to make a record for themselves with drug arrests for possession of two or three tablets are part of the problem, according to the human rights commissioner.
Permpong Chaovalit is a long-time advocate of the "holistic approach" to the problem of illicit drugs. Now the secretary-general of the ONCB, this forward-looking official is in a position to influence government police. Like both his obvious allies in other positions, Mr Permpong has advocated strengthening forces trying to apprehend and shut down drug lords, while giving drug users the help and education they need to turn their lives around.
Earlier this week, Myanmar authorities announced yet again they intend to intensify efforts to suppress drug trafficking. The truth is that if they do not, others will have to. Regional traffickers including vicious Thai drug lords have used Myanmar territory to remain off-limits to countries serious about arresting them and putting their laboratories and smuggling rings out of business. If Myanmar continues to acquiesce and wink at the presence of massive drug cartels, neighbours such as Thailand and China should consider taking action.
But clear-thinking authorities such as the three men mentioned above know that a relentless programme against trafficking will make serious dents in drug-trafficking rings, not occasional, arbitrary actions. It has been more than 30 years since strong, determined governments drove the drug lords out of northern Thailand. They instituted the world's most successful effort to switch farmers from the victim's trap of growing opium to production of a multitude of crops ranging from orchids to Idaho potatoes.
Such a visionary effort is needed again. Harsh sentences for every drug arrest is not a viable policy. The country has failed for more than a decade to arrest a major drug trafficker. The "war on drugs" will not succeed until the premier and cabinet adopt a serious, updated new programme.