People’s Participation in the Community Strength Model for the Overcoming Narcotics Control in Thap Phrik Subdistrict, Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo Province

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Thap Phrik Subdistrict, located in Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo Province, is a border area adjacent to Cambodia. Due to this geographical characteristic, the area has faced an increasingly severe drug problem, with a continuous upward trend observed since 2017. This issue has affected the safety of residents' lives and property, as well as the overall quality of life and resilience of the community. Addressing this problem effectively cannot rely solely on government agencies; it requires a participatory process involving all sectors of the community.This research therefore aimed to (1) study the state and situation of drug problems, (2) examine the community participation process in preventing, suppressing, and resolving drug problems in Thap Phrik Subdistrict, and (3) develop a participatory community empowerment model to systematically and sustainably address these issues.
Methods: This study employed a mixed-methods approach, dividing data collection into two components. The first component involved qualitative data, collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and satisfaction evaluation forms from 15 key informants, including community leaders, network members, and stakeholders in the area. The second component involved quantitative data, gathered through questionnaires administered to a sample of 177 residents living
in Thap Phrik Subdistrict. Stratified random sampling was used to ensure the sample appropriately represented the local population.
Results: The findings revealed that Thap Phrik Subdistrict's status as a border area adjacent to Cambodia is a key factor contributing to the continuous rise in drug problems since 2017. As a result, various communities within the subdistrict have collaborated to address the issue under a systematic participation concept, comprising three key components including (1) Community leaders play a crucial role in raising awareness and uniting community members as a cohesive force; (2) Collaboration exists between government agencies and local authorities in jointly carrying out operations; (3) Residents take an active role in monitoring, reporting tips, and continuously participating in various community activities. Regarding the participatory community empowerment model developed through this research, it focuses on integrating cooperation among different groups within the community, with particular emphasis on promoting the role of youth and the creative use of technology as tools for preventing and resolving the problem. The model also includes the establishment of the Thap Phrik Joint Operations Center, serving as a central mechanism to coordinate community cooperation in an appropriate and sustainable manner for addressing drug problems.
Application of this study: The findings of this study offer practical guidance for government agencies, local administrative organizations, and network partners operating in other border regions that face similar drug-related challenges. The research provides a framework for designing community participation mechanisms tailored to the specific social, geographic, and cultural context of each area. Additionally, the Joint Operations Center model, along with the strategy of promoting youth engagement and technology use, can serve as a replicable prototype for shaping drug prevention and resolution policies and action plans at both the local and national levels.
Conclusions: Effectively addressing drug problems in border communities such as Thap Phrik Subdistrict requires systematic, sustained cooperation among community leaders, government agencies, and residents. The participatory community empowerment model developed in this study - centered on integrated cooperation, youth engagement, creative technology use, and the establishment of a joint operations center—demonstrates strong potential as an effective and sustainable mechanism for genuinely preventing, suppressing, and resolving drug problems at the community level, and offers a valuable model for similar border areas facing comparable challenges.