EDITORIAL - Two issues we cannot ignore

You have probably heard or read about what happened in Thailand recently where an ex-policeman massacred 37 people, 22 of those children under the age of five at a day-care center.

According to reports, Panya Khamrab, a former policeman who was dismissed from the police force last year for alleged drug use, arrived at the day-care center in Uthai Sawan Town to pick up his son. He had just been to a court hearing before going to the day-care center.

When he was told his son had already been picked up by his wife, he flew into a rage then began his shooting and stabbing rampage, killing children, teachers, and anyone he came across. He later went home and killed his wife and son.

As of this writing the Thai authorities have not confirmed if Khamrab was under the influence of narcotics when he committed his horrendous attacks. But how else do we explain that attack?

Police said Khamrab was addicted to yaba, a form of amphetamine that came in pills. It was said to cause hallucinations, paranoia, and violent behavior.

Mental illness could also have been a factor. No sane mind could have committed such a sustained attack. It may be safe to say blind rage would have allowed him one victim or two or even three before he regained his senses. But to kill over three dozen then later come home to kill his own family, that is beyond rage and reason.

It could have been one or the other, or even a combination of both. Mental illness leading to drug use, because according to the Agence France Presse many people in Thailand cannot get help for mental illness and self-medicate by using drugs.

This could have easily happened here. We have so many people addicted to shabu, another form of methamphetamine, and also known to produce hallucinations, paranoia, and violent behavior. We also have so many people suffering mentally, mostly brought on by the lockdowns during the pandemic.

Usually they suffer in silence, because it is taboo to speak of it openly.

This incident should be a wakeup call not to take both issues --mental health and the proliferation of drugs for granted.