General knowledge about kratom and the police's attitude towards removing Kratom from list of Schedule 5 (V) Drugs

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study the general knowledge of the police towards Kratom and to study the police's attitude towards removing Kratom from the list of Schedule 5 (V) Drugs. It was quantitative research. The sample group consisted of 150 police officers working on drug prevention and suppression in Mueang Nakhon Pathom District or officers involved or previously involved in drug cases. Closed - and open - ended questionnaires and a Likert scale were used.

The results of the research found that all 4 factors of status, education, rank, and previous training affected the police's general knowledge about Kratom (p<0.05), that is, females aged 20-30 years; bachelor's or master's degrees; single; and with more than 7 years of government service had a higher average of correct answers than other groups. All study background factors affected police officers' views on removing Kratom from the list of Schedule 5 (V) Drugs (p < 0.05).  The results of the police’s opinions regarding the removal of Kratom from the list of Schedule 5 (V) Drugs in various aspects were as follows: feelings (4.06±0.99, high), perception or belief (3.76±1.02, high), readiness to act (3.78±0.86, high), opinion on the benefits of Kratom (3.61±0.93, high), opinions on the harms of Kratom (3.29±1.01, medium), and opinions on the draft Kratom Act....(3.72±0.99, high).

On the recommendation of the police to remove Kratom from the list of Schedule 5 (V) Drugs, most of them agreed but the sale should be controlled with standards so as not to harm consumers for the free sale of Kratom. Most importantly, lectures should be promoted to increase the knowledge and understanding skills of those involved.