A survey of Thai student use of illicit drugs.

In a survey of drug use by 1,506 Thai students, about one-fourth report having used illicit drugs and 6% report current use. Point prevalence of drug use in this population appears to be much lower than that reported by local news media. Prevalence and patterns of drug use among Thai and American students are remarkably similar. The authors conclude that easy availability of drugs of abuse does not necessarily lead to endemic or epidemic use. The isolation of high risk groups and study of cultural factors which may help to maintain low levels of drug use are suggested for future research.

Incidence of daily drug use as reported by a population of Thai partners working near United States military installations: a preliminary study.

A survey of 497 women, all of whom solicited partners from among American soldiers, indicated that 15% of this Thai population uses drugs and/or alcohol daily. Since behavioral observation made during this interview, as well as inconsistencies in responses on the survey, strongly suggested a reluctance to report drug use, it is judged that reported drug use represents an underestimate of true daily usage rate. The influence of transactions between these Thai women and their American associates upon drug use in each group was assessed from the perspective of the Thai informants. There appears to neither a great deal of drug use by Americans induced by interpersonal relationships with these Thai women, nor a great deal of Thai drug use which can be directly attributed to the influence of American soldiers. Alternate methods of data collection are suggested to substantiate this finding. An in-depth study of the relations established between these respondents and their American partners is planned to better interpret these results.