PM Hun Sen’s Message on World Anti-Drug Day

AKP Phnom Penh, June 26, 2012 —

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen has praised the National Authority for Combating Drug (NACD), the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, the Committee for Organizing National and International Festival, and the Provincial-Municipal Drug Control Committees for their participation in organizing the World Anti-Drug Day (June 26).

In a message on the World Anti-Drug Day, Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen welcomed the participation in celebration across the country as a contribution to achieving the “Drug-Free ASEAN” Goal in 2015, set forth by Cambodia in the ASEAN Summit in April this year.

Moreover, he further said, the World Anti-Drug Day does not only remind and disseminate to the entire humanity, especially the young people, about the serious danger and impacts caused by the abuse of drugs, but also expresses the willingness and encourage the active participation in preventing and combating the production, trafficking and abuse of illegal drugs in a broader and effective aspect, with a view to reducing at the maximum the sufferings and threats by illegal drug-related issues to the social development.

Cambodia is not an [illegal] drug-producing country but it has been impacted by drugs like other countries in the region and the world, he said.

In the 1990s, there was no production, no trafficking and no use of drugs in Cambodia, he said, pointing out that following the opening of free market, the drug situation in the country had changed remarkably.

Relating to anti-drug measures, Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen recommended a five-point multi-sector strategy, that is, the elimination of illegal drug supply; the reduction in illegal drug need; the reduction of danger caused by the use of drugs; the strengthening of effective law enforcement; and international cooperation.

By Ravuth M.