POWER NETWORKS AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN DRUG PREVENTION AND CONTROL: A CASE STUDY OF BANG SAWAN SUBDISTRICT, PHRASAENG DISTRICT, SURAT THANI PROVINCE

Abstract

This study aimed to: 1) Investigate the current state of community political participation in drug prevention and problem-solving; 2) Examine problems affecting community political participation in drug prevention and control; and 3) Propose guidelines for developing power networks and community participation in addressing drug-related problems. This qualitative research employed purposive sampling to select 10 key informants, including three police officers, three community leaders, two parents, and two local residents. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and analyzed using content analysis. Data triangulation was conducted to verify the credibility of the findings. The findings revealed that: 1) Bang Sawan Subdistrict possesses social capital derived from close relationships, mutual assistance, and collaborative community activities. The community power network consists of legal authority exercised by government officials, social authority represented by community leaders, and caregiving authority at the family level. Individuals aged approximately 14-24 years were identified as the primary risk group, with methamphetamine being the most commonly found illicit drug. Contributing factors included peer influence, family conditions, economic constraints, and the lack of constructive activities. 2) The major obstacles to community participation included insufficient awareness, limited budgets and personnel, discontinuous youth activities, unclear communication, and ineffective coordination among related organizations. and 3) The appropriate development approach is the 3CART Model, which consists of community empowerment, life skills and vocational development, collaboration with the private sector, establishment of safe activity spaces, rehabilitation of recovered drug users, and the application of technology for communication and monitoring. The study recommends shifting from a primarily law enforcement-based approach toward a collaborative responsibility network connecting police officers, community leaders, families, schools, temples, healthcare services, local administrative organizations, and the private sector.