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Medical Services deputy director-general Dr Boonreun Triruenworarat said Monday that the latest review shows that 376,000 of this number are new addicts.

Of these, 65 per cent is aged between 15 and 24.

Methamphetamine is the most common addiction, followed by marijuana and alcohol.

Boonreun said the government is failing to control drug dealers, particularly among youth.

The number of addicts is increasing drastically from 320,000 people in 2003 to 470,000 by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the number of addicts in rehabilitation is decreasing. Only 15 per cent of addicts are getting treatment.

He said a big reason for that is a lack of understanding from family and community.

Dealing with drug addiction costs the Public Health Ministry Bt1.8 billion a year. This money treats just 70,000 at 5,700 hospitals and health-care units.

"That's not enough money," he said.

The government is thinking about creating new centres to tackle the problem and provide rehab.

Privy counsellor Pichit Kullawanich said the government should encourage children to take up sports to keep them away from drugs.