Volunteers from an anti-drug programme in Klong Toey are calling for an extension to the project, despite suffering harassment in the community.
NEW BEGINNING: Eighty-six men who are taking part in an anti-drug programme walk to Wat Saphan in Klong Toey district yesterday to be ordained as monks.
The three-month Ban Oun Jai (heartwarming home) rehabilitation programme, an initiative of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), was introduced on Oct 1 and is due to conclude at the end of the year.
The volunteers working with the project are asking the ONCB to extend the period to ensure its success in the drug-afflicted community. They say three months is not long enough for it to make a lasting impact.
Klong Toey was selected by the ONCB as a pilot area in Bangkok to launch its battle against drug use.
With cooperation from local police and the Border Patrol Police Bureau, more officers have been stationed there and are patrolling at-risk areas more frequently.
Several community volunteers have also joined and are helping with police operations.
At least 226 drug users in the community have been sent for rehabilitation since the programme started.
Natenapha Ponrak, a local volunteer, said she would begin patrolling with officers next week. She conceded that many of the volunteers are not popular with certain elements of the community.
''I am afraid,'' she said. ''It's not good to be hated here.''
But she said she would continue trying to help officers as much as she could because she wanted drugs to be driven out of her neighbourhood.
''It's highly possible that volunteers will be harassed after putting themselves out there alongside police officers,'' Ms Natenapha said.
''It would be better if the officers remain in their posts [and the programme continues] for more than three months.''
Another volunteer, Ameena Beedillae, 85, is well-known for her decades-long fight against drugs. But even she has been harassed by some locals who are against the Ban Oun Jai programme.
''They've verbally harassed me whenever I've walked by them,'' she said.
Since the programme started, Ms Ameena has been a key police informant, contributing to the arrest of many drug users and dealers.
She said many locals were hesitant to cooperate with the ONCB because they were afraid they would not be protected afterwards.
''I think it's important that the programme is continued here,'' Ms Armeena said.
Social worker Nittaya Prompochuenbun said it was not possible for the drug problem in Klong Toey to be solved with a three-month programme. It would take more time, she said.