Thailand’s Preventive Drug Education Approach

Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) has two strategies for Drug demand Reduction: 1) Build protective factors and resilience to drug use; 2) Manage contextual environments appropriately

Build protective factors and resilience to drug use - Divide the target population by age range as follows:

• Childhood (2-6 yrs.) – promote Executive Functions (based on knowledge of Neuroscience)
• Middle childhood (6-11 yrs.) – provide drug education and promote a positive attitude to oneself and society
• Early adolescents (12-17 yrs.) - focus on building a life skill
• Late adolescents (18-24 yrs.) - encourage public consciousness/volunteer and plan to a good future
• Adult (25 yrs. and over) - emphasizing participation in self-protection, family, community and society

Manage contextual environments appropriately / (Eco system) (based on knowledge of the Bioecology of Human Development ; Urie BronfenBrenner) - Focus on strengthening the area as a safe zone in school, community and workplace, mobilize participation and integrating the work of all sectors in 3 areas

• Control risk factors and areas by social order and deterrence scheme
• Increase positive factors/areas by development activities to child, youth, family and community
• Care and support by screening risk and drug user group to intervene, develop, refer, treat, rehabilitate, follow up and give an opportunity.