Community-Based Intervention to Reduce Demand for Drugs in Northern Thai Tribal Villages

Abstract

This is an evaluation study of a community-based intervention model used in a project designed to reduce the demand for and use of opium, heroin, and other drugs among 85 tribal villages located in Northern Thailand. The Integrated Drug Abuse Prevention (IDAP) Project was conducted from 1995 to 1997 and used a community-based approach which included innovative methods such as multimedia awareness raising campaigns, networking between villages and local government agencies, and village-based drug detoxification and treatment to assist villages in solving their drug problems. The intervention model was successfully implemented in most villages and demonstrated very good results in improving awareness, decreasing the number of active drug users living in the villages, and preventing new cases of addiction. However, a follow-up study at 6 months after project termination indicated problems with sustainability of demand reduction activities and outcomes. These problems were attributed in part to a lack of empowerment among village leaders to continue activities without assistance from project staff. Also, village leaders expressed problems in resisting drug dealers who returned to the area, which suggested that support from law enforcement is critical to the viability of drug demand reduction programs.