Many drug addicts go through hell in their struggle to quit, but the rehabilitation model known as "Camp 35" in Pattani aims to bring hope and optimism for the future back into their lives as they begin their long, difficult process of recovery.
"I relapsed twice after trying other drug rehabilitation programmes. However, I am now determined to quit drugs for good," one addict told the Bangkok Post, adding that he hopes third time is the charm as he tries to give up heroin.
The man, who asked not to be named, is among the addicts who have joined Camp 35 at the Thanyarak Pattani Rehab Centre, where patients spend 35 days undergoing intensive treatment before being released home under the condition that they report weekly to medical staff for 90 days.
But it is the steps and activities provided during that initial period of "lock down" that are believed to be the keys to the programme's success.
So far, Camp 35, which was rolled out in January, accepts only those whose addiction is judged to be severe.
Kraisorn Visitvong, the governor of Pattani province, said the hope is that more than half of those joining Camp 35 will give up drugs for good.
"Given its duration and treatment, the programme is very effective," he said.
Cherobeyah Manahni, a nurse at Nong Jik Hospital and head of staff at Camp 35, added: "After joining the programme, our patients learn to improve their self-discipline. Some form football teams, others have started bands together."
Another patient said Camp 35 is a lifeline for addicts who wish to reconnect with the world around them.
"In the past, most people shunned me because I was a junkie. However, they accepted me after I decided to join the programme," he said referring to his neighbours.
Withdrawal symptoms are major obstacles for those attempting to break out of a vicious cycle. Nevertheless, he is doing his best to resist the cravings.
"When I need heroin, I work out and pray to Allah. I do a lot of activities to relieve my anxiety. Securing employment will also be helpful because I will be distracted and occupied," he said. "As my condition has improved, I am now helping medical staff look after the other patients here."
Similarly, another patient said he felt anxious and irritable during the first week of detoxification at Camp 35.
"But now when I need amphetamine, I exercise outdoors to shake off the urge to use," he said.
Environmental factors
The patients all have their own reasons for falling into drug addiction.
"I did it because it was what everybody did," one man told the Bangkok Post as he sat wearing his brown patient uniform. "However, I want to quit because I am worried about my future."
Another said heroin had been hard to avoid in his area.
"Amphetamine, heroin and kratom are common in my neighbourhood despite the police crackdowns, and, in the end, I became hooked as well," he admitted.
A third patient said he started taking drugs out of curiosity at the age of 12. "I simply wanted to try heroin for fun, so I could tell my future children what it was like. However, I ended up becoming addicted," he said.
Drugs as threat to security
Sompol Pankul, the deputy head of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) Region 4, said the drug epidemic has a direct effect on the security situation in Pattani.
"We are arresting more and more drug traffickers every year. They import drugs from nearby provinces and distribute them," he told the media at a press briefing.
Drug abuse has become a big problem in Pattani, and Maj Gen Sompol also disclosed that the drug problem contributes to the unrest in the deep South.
"Drug traffickers are donating money to insurgents who often recruit addicts to carry out attacks," he said. Conflating the two problems is a tactic to confuse officers and make investigations more difficult, he added.
Maj Gen Sompol said the government is now ramping up efforts to apprehend drug dealers. "They are like supermarkets in local villages. They receive drugs, hidden in vehicles or in parcels sent through the post, from neighbouring provinces and sell them to users. We are increasing our network of local intelligence to quash them," he said.
Not only a medical issue
Adisak Ngamkajornviwat, the director of the Thanyarak Pattani Hospital, urged the public not to stigmatise drug addiction. "It is a treatable disorder. We should recognise and rehabilitate those on the fringes of society. In fact, they have enormous potential. One of our drug addicts recovered and became a carer for other patients, which made his family very proud," he explained.
Mr Kraisorn said that Camp 35 is his brainchild, and he hopes it can help in the province's war on drugs. "We will identify and screen drug users. Then we will send those with the most severe substance addictions to the camp for intensive treatment. After they are released, we follow up on their progress and provide career training," he said.
However, the programme is not a panacea and needs buy-in from the community to succeed.
Mr Kraisorn said that treatment goes beyond just the intervention of medical staff.
"We rebuild addicts' physical and mental health, yet the community should make an effort to embrace them," he said, before adding that solving the problems of the patients at the facility is also a step towards solving the problems of the province.
"And for those who relapse -- we will bring them back to the camp," he added.
