Recognizing solid mechanisms in place, the Cambodian Prime Minister urges more public awareness building, participatory approaches, and the use of online platform to address worrying illicit issues.
Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet highlighted the advice in an open letter to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26 themed ‘The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention.’
The Prime Minister cited the gist of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report, saying that the trend in planting, producing, trafficking, and trading illicit drugs within and outside the region did not decrease because the COVID-19 pandemic had opened opportunities for the business.
While recognising the hard work of pertinent government ministries and institutions and other players and the prevention measures in place, he advised them to further build public awareness on the harmful effects of the drug, especially among students, youth, parents, workers, employees, and employers of both the public and private sectors.
Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet continued to encourage all government ministries and institutions to clear themselves of drug users and leverage their cooperation to address the issue in society.
He also called for the effective implementation of existing mechanisms, such as the village-commune-Sangkat safety policy and the expansion of the use of the online application No Drug.
