The number of drug addicts will soar to 470,000 by the end of the year, a big annual rise.

Medical Services depu-ty director-general Dr Boonreun Triruenworarat says the latest review shows 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 says the government is failing to control drug dealers, particularly among youth.