Methamphetamine Use Different Understandings Clash and Conflict in Thailand - Essay Example

Methamphetamine Problem Student’s Name Subject Professor University/Institution Location Date Methamphetamine use different understandings clash and conflict in Thailand. This paper seeks to explore the different meanings of methamphetamine use in Thailand, how the different meanings and use conflict with one another, their effects on control mechanisms, and effect on rates of addition. Methamphetamine (MA) also referred to as metamfetamine is a synthetic substance or psycho-stimulant of the central nervous system. MA base is colourless erratic oil which is insoluble in water. Most common salt in MA is the hydrochloride, an off white powder or crystals soluble in water. Commonly used street names for MA includes crank, ice, speed, crystal meth, ya ba, shabu, and pervitin. MA maybe snorted, ingested, injected, and or smoked (Europol 2009). MA is in the category of amphetamine-type drug stimulants (ATS), together with amphetamine and other interrelated substances like fenetyline, cathinone among others. As Anglin, et al. (2000) argues, its historical use has been positive particularly in those countries when it was first synthesized. Amphetamines were used as nasal decongestant, narcolepsy treatment, attention deficit disorders, obesity and depression since 1930s. Recent statistics affirms that MA may be currently the most widely used synthetic stimulant worldwide. Both historical and recent factors have been attributed its prevalence. At first, MA acted as a experimental substance consumed as a medicine, later used as a stimulant as well as performance enhancer during World War II, in the 40s MA was a licit stuff for mass consumption and largely prescribed medication widely approved medicine, and beginning the 1970s MA became illicitly used drug and its popularity increased rapidly during the 90s (Europol 2009). In Thailand, both supply and demand for MA has been increasingly evident since 90s. For that reason, producers of the MA have come forth to handle the readily available local and regional market. Thus, the trade of illicit drug has gained market in the Golden Triangle. According to McKetin, et al. (2008), in Thailand youth have used Methamphetamine. This has been confirmed through ethnographic research, in-depth interviews among youth between age 15-25 and participant observation. In 1960-1970 MA in form of Methedrine (diligent drug/ ya Kahayan) was legally purchased from pharmacies helping them work for longer hours. The later abuse led the government to control it sale promoting an underground MA trade. However, methamphetamine is an illicit type of amphetamine stimulant. There are various effects involved with MA such as increased activity, sense of well-being and decreased appetite. It is produced and sold in different forms like pill, powder and crystal form. The most available form in Thailand is pill with meth and caffeine mix with ya ba (crazy drug) widely smoked. A growing economy in Thailand led to dramatic socio-economic development with conspicuous consumption, urban youth culture and entertainment increasing its use for pleasure pursuit. The youth sub-cultures and popularise by media through warning significantly contributed to the use of MA and surge has been experience from 1990s when students consumption of ya ba surpassed that of labourers and truck drivers. Statistics account for 15-16 million of meth consumers worldwide, of whom half resides in Southeast and East Asia. Laos, Philippines and Thailand involve the highest annual prevalence of amphetamine type stimulant. Furthermore, in 2008, it was reported that Thailand had the most frequent seizure cases. The initial users of MA in Thailand were truck drivers and laborers in an attempt to boost their morale at work. The use of MA however spread rapidly among students and youths in the country. The young people used MA from a positive perspective of need for modern things and involvement in globalised commodity culture. As of today in Thailand, methamphetamine is linked to significant public health as well as social and security problems. MA has been said to cause moral panic in the country. In attempt to curb the use of drug, the Thai government has employed various anti-drug campaigns and intrusions (Pates & Riley 2010). Differences in understanding, formal and informal mechanisms for meth use control Methamphetamine control has a long history in Thailand. This is in order to close people from assaults and abuses. Nevertheless, a large portion of youth is recidivist offenders. This is however expected, in a functioning society. As Wermuth (2000), observes, differences in understanding affect the control mechanisms for MA. At grassroots, control and prevention may be all pervasive but neglected in political and mass media discourses. Politicians, radio hosts, newspapers editorialists may differ about its use and the possible remedies. In most cases, it is relatively rare for them to talk about prevention. They overwhelmingly emphasize on policing, law and order and sentencing responses. In the last decades and possibly near future, the government has rediscovered MA control committing resources for its development and implementation. There are still many jurisdictions with their schemes I place. However, despite most of the efforts, community role and prevention may remain behind as means of control. This is particularly through the emphasis of mass media and government substance use policy is concerned. The results will manifests in a way that, police and other unlawful justice reactions to substance use will continue to command budget allocations and much attention. Imbalance continues as long as the commonly held knowledge is contrasting. It becomes hard to rectify the massage that control is do-able. The public imagination is not caught in the control strategy. The political dimensions to implementations of strategies must be involved. Failure to do so, control theory cannot be properly applied, leading to less reduction of offending. The cities, towns, streets, suburbs, homes and shopping centers then become less livable. Differences make control practically ineffective. Lack of a wider outlook of the use of MA will result to an obvious application of law and order, which dominates policy making and implementation. This only supports apprehension, trial and punishment or shaming the offenders. However, other modes of control such as social prevention can rectify the deficiencies involved with mainstream law and order. By locating citizens’ experience and broader international contexts, control becomes instrumental by applying programs and practices that can shape Thailand and its society. As Rawson, et al. (2004) discusses, myriad of approaches may be taken to control the rampant use of meth particularly when there are diverse understanding and meaning on its use. The growing demand of meth in schools and learning institutions might lead to education system control mechanism. In prone contexts, control may assume the use of school security committees, textbooks dedicated for meth use control, CDs, videos and appointment of teachers as volunteer special constables. The education programs are set of pervasive series for deep-seated institutional mechanism that can be use to minimize deviance, promoting social inclusion and integration. Another relevant strategy is compulsory registration of each member of population both citizens and permanent residents particularly the youth. Every member should then at all times carry the identity card with their names, address, national registration number, race together with a passport and thumbprint. This would ensure pervasive national security apparatus. It is also applicable with a range of the social policies for organizing and monitoring the population. Establishing neighborhood police posts to high density housing estates. Staff may formally visit or asses the households in the area. Networking housing estates and resident commitment may promote awareness activities and control. Watch schemes and other association resolves disputes; promote awareness civic consciousness and community spirit. Liaison with employers, industry groups may control commercial, industrial and shopping complexes use. Another effective mode may be formation of Boy’s Clubs providing boys from 12-25 years, juvenile delinquents and pre-mature school leavers with various means to channel their energy to creative, healthy pursuits, to avoid meth use and unlawful behavior. Effects of these dis-junctures on rates of addiction One of the outcomes of such disjunctures is an apparent conspiracy and silence manifested by law enforcement staffs. There will be little likelihood of steps to understand and exploration of ways to overcome it. Limited experience and specificity in contexts will also limit a broader development and implementation of control strategy. An important concern will fail, as there will be unclear dimensions of learning from other jurisdictions. Since the central authorities fails to divest themselves of social control roles, less burden is shifted to groups and individuals at local level. Community responsibilisation is a current indirect and dispersed mode of power exercise in a modern era and Thailand. Without this, addictions and demand rates will rise and consequently there will be an escalating expenditure on police, unlawful justice institutions and prisons. Law and order may attract people as it deals with substance use and tackle illicit use in its most obvious and direct source by targeting the offender. However, the factors which contribute to occurrence of single offence are complex and multiple. A control policy has many advantages as it moves beyond deviance and deviants’ fixation to discuss all the contributing elements. However, without this knowledge, government will less spend its resources on social control. Thailand is a democratic society and may devote its excessive resources to ‘tough on abuse’ approach and end up risking more and wasting money. This will further damage the social fabric and aggravate addiction. Trial and error approaches may be adopted due to different viewpoints. This complicates the control process and split the control cycle. As the use of MA span from the drug cartels, channels, end-users, identification is primary for control which involves intervention measures like fines, rehabilitation and incarceration. A less managed approach will create imbalances and thus many loopholes to underground sales and addiction (Barr, et al. 2006). References Anglin, M. D., et al. 2000, ‘History of the methamphetamine problem’, Journal of psychoactive drugs, 32(2), 137-141. Barr, A. M., et al. 2006, ‘The need for speed: an update on methamphetamine addiction’, Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, 31(5), 301. McKetin, R.,et al. 2008, ‘The rise of methamphetamine in Southeast and East Asia’, Drug and alcohol review, 27(3), 220-228. Rawson, R. A., et al 2004, ‘A multi‐site comparison of psychosocial approaches for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence’, Addiction,99(6), 708-717. Wermuth, L 2000, ‘Methamphetamine use: Hazards and social influences’, Journal of Drug Education, 30(4), 423-433. Read More