Evolution of Drug Addiction Rehabilitation Guidelines in Thailand

Abstract

This study aimed to study the evolution of drug addiction rehabilitation guidelines in Thailand. This research uses a qualitative research method by documentary research from books, textbooks, documents, research results, academic articles, laws, announcements, and Acts that relate to drug addiction rehabilitation in Thailand from the past to the rehabilitation under the Narcotics Code Act B.E. 2021. The data was analyzed gaps analysis and used as academic evidence to support the development of improvement guidelines for drug addiction rehabilitation in the future. The research results revealed that Thailand had adopted the concept that drug users would be viewed as patients who need appropriate treatment is used to the solution of the problem of drug addiction. It began to appear in the Drug Addiction Rehabilitation Act of 1991 and was amended in 2002. It has enacted in the Drug Addiction Rehabilitation Act of 1991 and was amended in 2002. But due to, the numbers of people incarcerated for drug offenses are still disturbing, reflecting that the drug addiction rehabilitation Act was not conducive to health systems or the voluntary treatment, the rehabilitation and social reintegration systems were still struggling, and the lack of continuity of rehabilitation affect the rehabilitation ineffective. Therefore, the government has enacted the Narcotics Code Act B.E. 2021, with a greater focus on solving the problems of drug users or addicts in terms of public health and health. The voluntary, compulsory, and punitive rehabilitation had been changed to be only the voluntary rehabilitation and court-ordered. There are screening centers and social rehabilitation centers that provide follow-up care and assistance to those who receive rehabilitation, with the goal of preventing the drug addiction relapse and leading to sustainable solutions.