Narcotics-Free: Strong Community Development Models by Community Participation in the Lower Isan Region


  •  Kannika Phetsuwan    
  •  Songkoon Chantachon    
  •  Satra Laoankha    

Abstract

In the past, most Thai people lived in rural areas more than they did in towns or cities. It was only recently that a lot of people began to move to towns or cities looking for jobs making up about 30 percent of total population of Thailand Wherever they lived traditions (Buddhist and alike) and practices for or in everyday life. There were and still are differences from place to place. Drug problems, especially hard drugs were not known in most areas. As the country moved into the development age, the population, to some extent, had experienced drug problems and severe consequences. Families, communities and authority had come together in order to solve such problems. The problems found included running after material wealth particularly among young and working people. As a part of looking for happiness, many were lured in using narcotics or hard drugs. The communities tried hard to get back to their previous drug-free position by solving drug problems and developed themselves by drawing financial and academic support from concerned government and private sectors during 1992-2001. They also received the Mother of the Earth Award.For strong community development models with narcotics-free by community participation in the Lower Isan Region, the study found that cultural aspects were drawn into making strong communities. They included way of life, kinship systems, beliefs, rituals, traditions and thoughts, beliefs, rituals, traditions, and thoughts. The strong communities, based on cultural aspects could be used for drug-problem solving and community development.


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