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Date: 18th April 2000, Bangkok Post

Countrywide survey finds 80,819 addicts

Anucha Charoenpo

More young people are abusing cough mixtures which contain codeine, a derivative of morphine, according to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board.

The cough syrups were particularly popular among teenagers in Songkhla, Yala, Satun, Pattani and Narathiwat, said Theeraphat Santimatheneedol, a deputy secretary-general.

Many youths in the five southern provinces had been using the syrups, available over the counter at drug stores, instead of other narcotics pros-cribed by Islamic teachings, he said.

Controls on the volume of purchases should be imposed to prevent abuse, said Mr Theeraphat, adding that the syrups were also popular among the youth in Bangkok, particularly high school and university students. Campaigns would be launched to prevent misuse of the drug in communities and at schools and universities.

- sers mix the syrups into yoghurt to avoid stomach ulcers because codeine is an appetite suppressant, or with soft drinks to deliver a more potent effect.

A survey of drug-users over the past year showed 93.4% to be under 29 years old, he said. The trend was for users to be younger because children were the subject of greater exposure and could buy supplies over the counter.

Drug problems among high school students and other teenagers were also found in 40 provinces. Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Nongbua, Lamphun, Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket and Phattalung had less serious problems.

He said the countrywide survey showed about two million of people had taken drugs, while 80,819 people were addicts.