Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rasmon Kalayasiri, director of the Center for the Study of Addiction Problems (SorKor.), said that currently the most common narcotics include cigarettes, alcohol, methamphetamine, marijuana, and opioids. These substances have been in Thai society and around the world for a long time. For the world situation in 2022, there is a report published by the office that According to the United Nations on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), 284 million people aged 15-64 worldwide are using illicit drugs, a 26% increase from 2010. The main ones found are marijuana, opioids, amphetamines, xtachi (Yaice), while in Thailand, the survey results in 2020 were during the COVID-19 situation. To see what the situation with narcotic drugs was like at that time, it was found that 4.6 percent of the population used legal drugs in the past 12 months, while the results of the 2022 survey found that children and youth aged 18-19 had Smoking marijuana has doubled from the past.
The results of the survey, attitudes and drug use behavior. From a case study of people aged 18-65 in 20 provinces across all regions of the country between 2020-2022. Created jointly between the EEC and the Research Center for Social and Business Development. With support from the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (Thai Health Promotion Foundation), a survey of 5,630 people, 2,725 males, 2,905 females, found that Thai people aged 18-65 years had the attitude that drug problems were important national problems and should not try to use drugs And a majority of the respondents, 41 percent, viewed removing marijuana from drugs as doing more harm than good, while 25 percent viewed it as more benefit than harm.
Assoc. Prof. Rasmon said that the results of the survey on marijuana released from the drug list found that growing marijuana in the household. Most, 86 percent of the sample group found that they were not planted. On average, regarding two trees were planted in the household, with three-quarters of those planting unreported. Or don’t want to answer/don’t know It was also found that in the past year 24.9 percent of the sample used recreational marijuana. and one in five people under the age of 20 use marijuana recreationally. The alarming number is that children under the age of 20 use marijuana 10 times higher in three years. There were physical symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, sweating, and 1.5 percent had mental symptoms such as hearing loss, hallucinations. While Kratom plants were found that 6.4 percent chewed fresh Kratom leaves for recreation, 4.5 percent drank boiled water mixed with other substances. and 4.0% drank bottled cottage water without mixing with other substances.
In terms of drug use data, it was found that 58.7% of the respondents used drugs, including alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, kratom, methamphetamine, ice, and 4.8% of the respondents used illicit drugs. (Excluding alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, kratom). In addition, 48.9 percent of the sample. Drink alcohol and 25.5 percent of the sample smoked in the past year.
“In summary, The sample group viewed the drug problem as a major national problem. And there is an opinion that drugs should not be tried. The use of recreational marijuana has increased over the past three years. In all age groups, especially in 2022, the use of smoking marijuana among Thai youth aged 18-19 increased 10 times from 1-2% to 9.7% in just 3 years. Alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, and other illicit drugs were found in a smaller proportion than the proportion of marijuana use. with recommendations that Laws to control narcotics should be applied urgently. It is a law that is in force. (enforcement) can actually be done in areas across the country to mitigate the impact. The physical and psychological impacts caused by the increase in drug use among the Thai population should be monitored during the past year. Preventive measures by educating the public regarding drug avoidance are also needed. Including measures to educate experts for a proper understanding of the benefits and harms of narcotic substances is still necessary, ”said Assoc. Prof. Rassamon.
While Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ruengruedi Patanavanich, Department of Community Medicine Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital said that the situation from the above survey was quite worrisome. especially among children and youth Ready to reveal the results of a survey among children and youth regarding e-cigarettes. Which Thailand is still illegal in importing, prohibiting sale, prohibiting service In the past, there were researches abroad. Whether it’s the United States, England, which we refer to. But in Thailand, there is an increasing number of studies regarding e-cigarettes. By bringing research results on the Use of E-Cigarettes and Associated Factors among Youth in Thailand or factors related to the use of e-cigarettes among children and youth in Thailand published in 2021 from a sample group of children and youth. 6,045 people aged between 11-16 years from all regions of the country E-cigarette rates were found to be 3.7%, with boys smoking more than girls (5.9% and 1.3%, respectively).
“The study found that there are 5 important factors related to e-cigarette smoking in Thai children: 1. Having a parent who smokes e-cigarettes increases the risk of e-cigarette addiction 6 times. 2. Thinks e-cigarettes are safe. Risk of being addicted to 5 times more. 3. Smoking normal cigarettes. 4 times the risk of addiction. 4. Have friends who smoke electric cigarettes. 4 times the risk of being addicted to and 5. an environment where friends accept smoking The risk of being addicted to 2 times, which the results of the study are quite consistent with studying abroad. As a health caregiver and jointly formulate policies Health promotion should be emphasized in preventing children and young people from using e-cigarettes. especially new electronic cigarettes At high nicotine content, easily addictive and difficult to quit, it is dangerous for children’s brains. because the brain is not yet fully grown, ”said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ruengruedee.
Dr. Orathai Waleewong, International Health Policy Development Office (IHPP), discussed the results of the 2019 study on the burden of disease from drugs and alcohol and aspects of solving alcohol problems in the VUCA World era. Alcohol consumption is the fourth most common risk factor for premature death or disability in Thailand. accounted for 7.7 percent of the total loss. Alcohol is both an addictive substance. Toxins and carcinogens cause more than 230 diseases and injuries. Alcohol consumption among men accounts for the greatest burden of morbidity and death from traffic accidents. Followed by cirrhosis. accidental injury Suicide or physical violence and cancer. Cirrhosis and cancer from alcohol consumption in Thailand are on the rise. The effects of alcohol use are not specific to the drinker. But it also affects those around the drinker. which deals with issues of safety and order in society to human rights especially violence once morest children and women by drinkers and drunken people In today’s age, young people are at risk from all aspects of their exposure to alcohol and drugs due to both economic and social conditions. As well as increasing marketing and promotion through online channels of the alcohol business, the risks and consequences of alcohol use are preventable with alcohol policies that protect public health. manage environmental factors contributing to abstinence from drinking and drug abuse and a way of life that does not depend on alcohol and drugs which requires the cooperation of the community and society especially surveillance of illegal actions and notifying government agencies as well
Dr. Athip Tan-Aree, M.D., Srithanya Hospital mentioned the Provincial Alcohol Consumption Situation Report for the year 2021 that surveyed alcohol drinking behavior at the area level. From a sample of 84,000 people across the country, it was found that 28% of the Thai population aged 15 years and over had drunk alcohol in the past 12 months, and 9% of Thai adolescents aged 15-19 had drunk alcohol. under 20 years old, while the proportion of drinkers with high-risk behaviors was frequent drinking at least weekly, 43.8%, heavy drinking, 35.9%, drinking and driving a vehicle, 31.6%, while the prevalence of drinking by region found that the region The North and Northeast had the highest percentage of adult drinkers. resonate with young drinkers But it was found that the proportion of regular drinking was the central region when compared to the top 5 provinces that drank the most: Nan, Chiang Rai, Phrae, Mukdahan, and Phayao. The 5 least drank provinces were Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, Phang Nga and Singburi, respectively.
“Interesting information is The top 5 provinces where drinking the most in 2017 dropped, which is a welcome change: Lampang from 1st to 22nd, Chanthaburi from 4th to 18th, and Chanthaburi from 4th to 18th. Sukhothai from rank 5 down to 17, while the provinces with the lowest risk are still the same group of provinces. just switch ranks which is worth analyzing And learn from these provinces how there are measures in the area, ”said Dr. Athip.
