Roles of Local Administrative Organizations in Khon Kaen Province in the Prevention Juvenile Drug Abuse and Delinquency

Abstract

Drug abuse is one of the most severely pervasive problems in Thailand. The national government initiates a wide range of policies and apparatus to suppress the problem. The current study explores projects and activities adopted by local administrative organizations (LAOs) to prevent and eradicate drug-related adolescent delinquencies, conditions conducive to successful operation, and strengths and weaknesses of such projects. It also proposes guidelines for improvement. The researchers employed a holistic multiple case-study design with document analysis and in-depth interviews.  Area of this study encompassed Ban Pet Municipality, Don Han Municipality, Tha Phra Municipality, Don Chang Subdistrict Administrative Organization, and the Narcotics Control Office (Region 4).

The study has shown that the law does allow LAOs to solve juvenile drug problems directly.  Instead, the role of LAOs in solving such issues is mostly an act of “partnership,” meaning the LAOs cooperated with officers and supported drug-related training programs via public announcement and providing facilities. Prime conditions of LAOs for preventing and resolving juvenile drug problems include leadership and vision of the chief executive officers, public spirit of the workers, proper support from the national government, and cooperation from the juveniles, their families, and the people in community.