Thailand will try to fix it methamphetamine crisis with another formally illegal drug, cannabis. In a recent study, meth addicts in Thailand were given CBD oil under the tongue to treat withdrawal symptoms, and the results were promising.
Today, the acting director-general of the medical department, Dr Thongchai Kiratthihathayakhon, said methamphetamine is “Thailand’s biggest problem”.
Meth-induced psychosis is often found to be at the root of the most violent crimes in Thailand, such as rape and murder, that plague the kingdom on a daily basis.
Methamphetamine is a synthetic drug made in a laboratory, making it the cheapest and most accessible drug in Southeast Asia. Yaba (“crazy drug”) is methamphetamine mixed with caffeine pressed into a pill. Yaba sells for as cheap as 10 baht a pop (US$0.26), so it’s no surprise that it’s the dominant illicit drug in Thailand.
The number of methamphetamine users in Thailand is unfathomable. But of the 200,000 drug users who receive rehab each year in Thailand, 75% are meth addicts, giving a rough idea of its hook on the population.
The psychosis that occurs as a result of prolonged methamphetamine use currently has no official treatment, leading users to take the drug repeatedly, causing a dangerous downward spiral.
Initial studies using CBD to treat methamphetamine withdrawal in six hospitals and rehabilitation centers in Thailand showed promising results. CBD oil is extracted from cannabis, but unlike THC, it doesn’t get you “high”.
In all six scenarios, meth addicts treated with sublingual drops of CBD oil showed reduced anxiety, sleep improvementi reduction of abnormal mental symptoms.
Using cannabis to combat the meth crisis makes sense since Thailand legalized the plant for its magical medicinal benefits in June.
Dr. Thongchai commented on the hopeful results…
“It is hoped that the results of this study could see CBD being used as an alternative treatment for Ya Ba addiction. It reduces the chances of relapse and improves the quality of life. It could reduce the number of meth users in the country.
“Since the study used CBD oil produced in Thailand, further studies can easily be conducted to test its effectiveness when used as a substitute for methamphetamine.
“CBD oil is considered a treatment option for methamphetamine addicts, according to harm reduction guidelines.”
Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has declared a “war on drugs” in response to the recent massacre of 37 people, mostly young children, at a daycare center.
No drugs have been detected in the body of the assailant, an ex-policeman, who committed suicide after the attack. However, he was dismissed from the force for using methamphetamine and was facing trial in court on drug charges.
As a deterrent tactic, Prime Minister Prayut is suggesting changes to Thai law so that anyone in possession of five or more methamphetamine pills would be considered a “drug dealer” and therefore serve a much longer prison term.
READ: Where to buy cheap cannabis in Bangkok
