DRUG-FREE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BY THE BUDDHIST PEACEFUL MEANS: A CASE STUDY OF BAANPAKLUAI, THUNGPHONG SUB-DISTRICT, NONGCHANG DISTRICT, UTHAITHANI PROVINCE

Abstract

The research article had three main objectives; 1. To Study the context, circumstances, causes, and obstacles in solving drug addiction issues and explore contemporary scientific principles and theories of community development towards a drug-free community. 2. To examine the fundamental principles of Buddhist peaceful means that contributed to individual and community development towards a drug-free community 3. To Develop and present a process for community development towards a drug-free community based on the principles of Buddhist peaceful means at Banpakluey, Thungphong Sub-District, Nongchang District, Uthaithani Province. This study employed the qualitative research approach.

The research findings were as follows: 1. From 2018 to 2022 it revealed that in the Banpakluey community, there were 25 cases of drug addiction in total among the population aged from 15 and above. The main causes were the desire for wealth, possessions, or a higher social status. The key obstacles in solving the drug addiction problem included advanced technology for communication between drug dealers, lack of cooperation from community members, and insufficient continuous monitoring and evaluation by authorities. 2. Development process towards Drug-free community, based on the principles of “Borwon”, consists of three key groups: homes, monasteries, and educational/government institutions. The process involved starting at upstream, midstream, and downstream by driving the community to implement the following of “Four sublime states of mind or Brahmavihara-dhamma” a) “Metta”: Conducting a 100% search for drug users or dealers. b) “Karuna”: Providing repeated training and rehabilitation programs to drug users. c) “Mudita”: Praising and celebrating to individuals who have undergone rehabilitation and successfully transform. d) “Upekkha”: Providing continuous support to prevent relapse into drug addiction, thereby strengthening the "Borwon" energies. This energy leaded to strong individuals, happy families, sustainable communities, and a peaceful society.