During the last decade, narcotic drugs, especially the psycho-stimulant amphetamine, have been seized by Thai authorities in rapidly increasing volume, along with the number of persons arrested for drug offenses. Government strategies for addressing this problem involve demand control, demand prevention, and the eradication of supply. The nine guidelines for action declared by the cabinet are drug suppression; administration and coordination; encouraging people power and prevention; therapy, treatment, and rehabilitation; control of drugs and their chemical precursors; reforming laws and the justice process; investigative reports; international cooperation; and research-development monitoring and evaluation. The Ministry of Public Health is a featured player in countering drug abuse, as it is responsible for drug-user therapy, treatment, and rehabilitation; the prevention of drug addiction; and control of the supply of drugs and their chemical precursors. The Ministry of Public Health has established nationwide standards for effective and efficient therapy, treatment, and rehabilitation. Psycho-social therapy is provided for drug abusers in local community clinics and schools; and drug prevention programs for those at risk of drug use are provided through behavioral modification camps that instruct participants in the dangers of drug abuse. The holistic approach of standard treatment for drug addicts includes building on the positive characteristics of drug users and their families, encouraging clients to restructure their lives, and enhancing vocational skills. The paper concludes with a discussion of the challenges ahead and recommendations for improving drug policies and practice. 5 figures