The checkpoints were in operation simultaneously on Wednesday night (Mar 5), and operated by local security personnel overseen by village headmen (Phu Yai Baan), said an official report of the sweep.
The report credited the campaign to Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat, Phuket Vice Governors Adul Chuthong and Ronnarong Thipsiri, and Thalang District Chief Siwat Rawangkun.
The checkpoints were organised by District Chief Siwat, security personnel and Paisit Uthakul, Kamnan of Tambon Thepkrasattri, and the village headmen (Phuk Yai Baan) of all villages in the tambon, the report added.
The forces were divided into three groups, who jointly set up checkpoints at the Pak Krong Cheep School Intersection in Moo 9, Thepkrasattri; at Wat Baan Don in Moo 4, Thepkrasattri; and at Thalang Hospital in Moo 1, Thepkrasattri.
The results of the operation initially found 35 people with drugs in their urine, 20 of whom were Thais and 15 were foreign workers, the report said.
They were taken to record at the Thalang District Drug Prevention and Suppression Centre and sent to the targeted treatment system, the report added.
As for the Myanmar workers, they were taken to record their statements and compile a history of their employers, workplaces and camps in order to follow up and expand the results of drug prevention and suppression in solving the drug problem, the report said.
The checkpoint sweep came as Thalang District Office launched its ‘White Organisation’ project to “Combat Drug Use in Administrative Sectors”.
The project aims to proactively prevent drug use among administrative personnel and set a model for broader drug prevention efforts.
The project was officially launched at Thalang District Office on Wednesday, with the opening ceremony presided over by Thalang District Chief Mr Siwat.
The project is being coordinated through the Thalang District Public Health Office and the Thalang District Security Division.
The ‘White Organisation’ project is designed to reinforce measures against drug-related issues by implementing urine drug tests for administrative personnel, explained a report of the project launch.
Those subject to testing include kamnan (tambon chief), village headmen, assistant village headmen, subdistrict doctors and sub-district police officers.
The initiative aligns with the ‘Sweep Your Own House’ strategy, emphasising self-regulation and accountability within government agencies, the report noted.
By ensuring that administrative personnel remain drug-free, the project aims to enhance transparency and public trust while serving as a prototype for effective drug prevention.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy to create sustainable and tangible solutions to drug-related problems in the community, the report concluded.