Thailand has the highest number of methamphetamine addicts in the world, says Department of Medical Services (DMS) deputy directorgeneral Dr Boonruang Trairuangworawat.
"It is the main reason Thailand has been recruited to join largescale research designed to determine whether there are any relationships between genetics and drug addiction," Boonruang said yesterday.
He disclosed the information at an academic seminar at the IMPACT Muang Thong Thani complex titled "Update on Addiction".
Boonruang said Chulalongkorn University and the Thanyarak Institute had joined the United States' Yale University in conducting the research in various countries including Thailand, the United States and Australia.
In Thailand, more than 500 teenagers between 15 and 19 years old have voluntarily participated in the research, which is now in its third year and in its second phase.
"In all, we have three phases," Boonruang said, adding that the research findings would help prevent the spread of drug addiction.
He said the drug scourge in Thailand continued. Last year, there were 120,000 drug addicts seeking treatment.
In the first seven months of this year, the number has already soared to 100,000. Of these drug abusers, 32 per cent are aged between 15 and 19 years. The youngest abuser to come forward is just 12 years old.
Boonruang said: "Most of them have consumed methamphetamine, marijuana and ice," or crystal methamphetamine hydrochloride.