Downgrading ‘yaba’ does not make it legal, says Paiboon
Justice Minister General Paiboon Koomchaya yesterday explained that the proposal to downgrade amphetamine or “yaba” to category 2 was to allow doctors easier access to certain medicines.
Paiboon insisted that the trafficking of “yaba” was still illegal, and hence major manufacturers and dealers would face serious penalties regardless of the category the drug has been put under.
“The change has been made to segregate drug abusers for treatments and to allow doctors to have access to use certain substances legally,” he said, adding that there was no need for a study because many other countries had taken a similar action.
This issue requires work on adjusting public perception and promoting public confIdence that the government is on the right track, Paiboon said. He added that the downgrading of “yaba” would also require adjustments in terms of supporting agencies and personnel as well as preparing a law on controlling the use of the substance. Hence, he said, he will soon be calling a meeting of provincial governors, district chiefs and related agencies so everybody is on the same page.
“I agree with the direction [that this proposal is going], but it must be accepted by society first,” he added. –
