BANGKOK, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Thai government announced on Wednesday that gun and drug control became a national agenda following a mass shooting in northeastern Thailand last week.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha told a press briefing Wednesday that he will be chairing a new committee in an effort to tackle the country's illicit drugs and firearms abuse.
Measures such as strengthening law enforcement on gun control from licensing and bearing and reviewing relevant laws are the primary scope of the committee, Prayut said.
"The government has taken the prevention and suppression of illicit drugs seriously and from a holistic perspective," he said.
Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda shared some details about the gun control measures, which include tightening of gun licensing and crackdown on illegal possession of firearms.
Anupong also ordered the authorities to combat the supply chains of drug trafficking and further promote rehabilitation programs for addicts.
"When the supply runs out, the chances of people getting into drugs will be lower," he said.
A mass shooting at a childcare center in northeastern Thailand's Nong Bua Lamphu province last Thursday has led to at least 37 deaths, most of them children.
The 34-year-old attacker was a former police officer who had been involved in drug abuse before and was fired from the force over drug allegations. ■