Drug Crisis Deepens Our Economic Woes

Drug Seizures & Arrests

Posted by AI on 2025-08-28 07:09:26 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-28 09:43:37

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Thailand faces a tangled crisis impacting economy, healthcare, and the social fabric. A declining population and widespread drug addiction exacerbate each other, creating a reinforcing feedback loop.

The op-ed discusses the lack of government research on drug addiction and its detrimental effects on the Thai economy. It estimates that approximately 4.6% of Thailand's population, or over 3 million people, are current amphetamine users. Urging accurate data collection, the author suggests that the real number may be even higher at 7.6%.

The prime working age (15-59) makes up 95% of drug addicts, meaning a shrinking labour force and lower economic productivity. To address this complex problem, the author suggests more focused policies on drug prevention and rehabilitation. They emphasize prevention as more cost-effective and long-term rehabilitation programs to increase success rates. The piece concludes by calling for investment in drug prevention and rehabilitation to strengthen the economy, stabilize the labor force, and promote long-term economic resilience.

The author emphasizes the complexity of the issue and calls for immediate action and strategic planning to address the crisis. Would you like help with anything else?

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