Drugs war 'harms aids patients'

They said Thailand's previous attempt at eradicating drugs, implemented in 2003 under former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, included extra-judicial killings, 'blacklisting' of suspected drug users and dealers, and forced drug 'treatment' in military-style facilities.

The campaign ended with nearly 3,000 people losing their lives, about half of whom had no connection to drugs, the groups said in a press statement released today.

"The 2003 war on drugs was notorious for the crimes against humanity perpetrated by Thai authorities," said Karyn Kaplan, Director of Policy and Development for Thai AIDS Treatment Action Group (TTAG).

"We are horrified that Thailand would relaunch such a disastrous government policy," Kaplan said.

In addition to gross human-rights violations, the 2003 drug war seriously disrupted drug users' access to essential services such as HIV treatment, prevention information, counselling and equipment, by driving drug users underground, the statement said.

"While the government has said that they will respect human rights, they have proven that they cannot be trusted without creating a detailed plan of exactly how they will protect drug users," said Amanda Lugg, Health GAP Board Member.

Kriengkrai Aiemprasert, outreach worker at Ban Mit Sampan Harm Reduction Centre in Bangkok, said the drug war would have "disastrous consequences for the fight against Aids in Thailand - and it will not work as a response to drug use in Thai society." 

"The Thai prime minister should end the war on drugs, and promote a response to drug use based on evidence, and human rights.

"An estimated 50 per cent of drug users in Thailand are HIV-positive. HIV incidence and prevalence in Thailand has declined overall, but not among people who use drugs or other highly vulnerable groups including men who have sex with men [MSM]," the statement said.