PROBLEMS AND OBSTACLES IN DRUG PREVENTION AND SUPPRESSION OF THE DRUG PREVENTION AND SUPPRESSION OPERATION CENTER, DON TAN DISTRICT, MUKDAHAN PROVINCE

Abstract

The objectives of this research article were: (1) to study the problems and obstacles in the prevention and suppression of narcotics; and (2) to find recommendations for solving the problems and obstacles in the prevention and suppression of narcotics of the Don Tan District Narcotics Prevention and Suppression Operations Center, Mukdahan Province. This was a quantitative research study using a sample group of 101 people. The research instrument used was a questionnaire to measure the level of problems and obstacles in the prevention and suppression of narcotics on a 5-point Likert scale. Data were analyzed using a computer program package. The statistics used for data analysis were percentage, mean, and standard deviation.

         The study results found that.

1) The level of problems and obstacles in the prevention and suppression of narcotics at the Operations Center, overall, was at a moderate level. When considering individual aspects, the problems and obstacles in the prevention and suppression of narcotics, ranked from highest to lowest, were at a high level in two aspects: problems regarding budget and equipment/tools, and problems regarding the nature of the area and the operations performed. They were at a moderate level in three aspects, ranked from highest to lowest: problems and obstacles arising from personnel, problems regarding cooperation from the public, other agencies, or organizations, and problems regarding support from supervisors, respectively.

2) The study results regarding recommendations for the problems and obstacles in the prevention and suppression of narcotics found that: (1) There should be coordination between public and private organizations in the prevention and resolution of drug problems, and a clear joint action plan should be established by multiple parties. (2) The government should allocate sufficient budget and resources, including providing modern equipment/tools necessary for operations. (3) The Operations Center should seriously coordinate the care of rehabilitated individuals at the local level (province/district) in order to provide follow-up care and assistance, create employment and economic opportunities, and thus prevent relapse into drug use.