LEGAL MEASURES FOR DEALING WITH DRUG USERS
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Abstract
This research aimed to study guidelines for improving legal measures concerning drug users in accordance with the concept that “drug users are patients,” emphasizing rehabilitation rather than criminal punishment. The study also examined the promotion of family and community participation in the rehabilitation process, as well as measures for post-treatment follow-up to prevent relapse. The research employed documentary research methods through the study of books, academic articles, theses, and relevant electronic sources.
The findings revealed that the concept of “drug users are patients” has been recognized in many countries. The Portuguese Republic, for example, applies rehabilitation measures instead of criminal penalties, which has effectively reduced relapse rates and promoted social reintegration. In contrast, Thailand still faces problems regarding the lack of a continuous post-treatment monitoring system, resulting in ineffective rehabilitation outcomes. Meanwhile, the Federation of Malaysia and the Republic of Singapore have established compulsory rehabilitation and continuous monitoring systems within rehabilitation centers to reduce the likelihood of relapse. Furthermore, Thailand still lacks legal measures promoting the role of families in the rehabilitation of drug users, whereas in the United States of America, family members are permitted to file petitions with the court requesting that drug users undergo rehabilitation treatment. Therefore, Thailand should amend Section 162 of the Narcotics Code B.E. 2564 (2021) to require drug users who have not committed other criminal offenses to undergo rehabilitation instead of criminal punishment, and amend Section 113 to allow relatives to file petitions requesting rehabilitation treatment for drug users. In addition, rehabilitation centers or treatment facilities should be established in every province to improve accessibility, and a continuous follow-up system should be implemented for a period of five years after treatment in order to prevent relapse and repeated offenses.
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