Editorial: aim high in the war agai

[suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Editorial: aim high in the war against drugs

 	October 20, 1998 							
			
     								



Editorial


Aim high in the war against drugs
The interior minister's suggestion that narcotics offenders be executed
once they have exhausted the legal process leaves little doubt about the
seriousness with which the authorities view the continuing surge in drug
abuse, in amphetamines in particular. Maj-Gen Sanan Kachornprasart believes
the prospect of immediate execution will act as a deterrent, bringing those
lured by the instant riches the drugs trade offers to have second thoughts,
to see sense. 
Certainly, the implementation of the proposal would deter some people.
Thailand would be seen to be uncompromising in its determination to destroy
the iniquitous trade but there must be concerns that those on the wrong end
of the rifle barrel would be but small fry. Lowly status in the drugs trade
does not imply lesser culpability but the reality is that our jails are
packed with small-time dealers, couriers and other lackeys of people of
significant power and influence. 
It would be reasonable to believe that for every small-time dealer or
courier thrown in jail, another is ready to step in and take the chance. 
The factors range from seizing an opportunity to escape poverty to
ignorance to plain greed and a wilful disregard for the consequences. But
at the other end of the trade are figures who do not look on their actions
as a one-off affair. Their wealth and influence are sufficient to afford
them both protection from the law and a guarantee of immense wealth, and
the authorities know it. 
Without getting to grips with the influential figures whose operations are
facilitated by the sort of close connections in government and the
bureaucracy that big money can buy, the authorities will merely be
scratching the surface. The proposal to carry out the death sentence may
also be counter-productive. Those traffickers who are fully aware of the
risk they are running may well be induced to respond in kind by arming
themselves to the teeth to make sure they do not fall into the hands of the
authorities. 
Furthermore, their influential backers, who have a greater interest in
their merchandise than in their mules, may well be inclined to make
available hardware such as assault rifles and grenades to ensure minimum
disruption to their operations. Add to this worrying equation the element
of desperation likely to be engendered by the threat of a death sentence
without hope of amnesty or pardon and the chances of serious clashes and
the accompanying threat to public safety cannot be overlooked. 
Information derived from suspects held after the Nong Chok shootout with
police underlines the reality that the drugs trade cannot exist without
connections. One of the suspects told investigators that all of the
racketeers belonged to political parties, were involved in crime-monitoring
programmes and had set themselves up as philanthropists, making hefty
donations to charitable causes. No matter the extent of their largesse or
social status, it is these people who are the real menace to society and
they are getting away with it.
The authorities have to decide whether the elimination of disposable bit
players in a national tragedy will achieve the desired end or if it will
take more. Experience has shown in Colombia and Sicily that the major
players, left to their own devices, become ever more bold and dangerous. In
both cases, the time came for the authorities to strike at the heart of the
enemy. Operations in both Colombia and Italy led to horrendous violence,
which was a measure of the pain inflicted by the authorities. Those
operations also resulted in charges being brought against politicians and
officials of a startling high level. Only when the untouchables are touched
can there be an effective deterrent. 							 	Classifieds

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© Copyright The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 1998
Last Modified: Tue, Oct 20, 1998
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