Stores tackle inhalant abuse
Due to the growing problem of inhalant abuse among youths, Tesco Lotus has introduced a barcode-scanning system at its stores to alert clerks when selling products containing inhalants.
The barcodes will enable clerks to screen sales of inhalants and ensure that buyers are aged 17 or over, the company's chief executive Jeff Adams said. By law, anyone selling inhalants to individuals under 17 faces a maximum two-year jail term or Bt20,000 fine. The Probation Department, Muthita Juvenile Centre, Royal Thai Police and related agencies yesterday held a parade to campaign against inhalant-abuse and made a visit to Tesco Lotus Rama IV branch to inspect the scanning system. Cracking down on sales of inhalants to abusers and reducing the problem through rehabilitation programmes are the solutions to the problem, said Vice Minister for Justice Voradej Chandarasorn. The maximum penalty for illegal sales of inhalants to known addicts is a three-year jail term or Bt30,000 fine. Probation Department director-general Wanchai Roujanavong said inhalant abuse was on the rise with 11,239 abusers arrested last year, and 2,325 abusers - 679 of whom were youths and children - arrested before March this year. Inhalants most commonly purchased by abusers include 3K glue, shoe glue, nail polish removers, lacquer and thinner, he said. Chiang Mai topped the province list for inhalant-abuse, followed by Phayao, Nakhon Ratchasima and Loei. The Nation
|
