DPM Sar Kheng: Cambodia Is Victim of Narcotic Drug

AKP Phnom Penh, June 27, 2012 —

Cambodia is not a drug producing country, but a victim, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H.E. Sar Kheng said on Tuesday at National Olympic Stadium, in Phnom Penh.

Addressing at a ceremony to mark the International Day Against Drugs on behalf of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia, H.E. Sar Kheng said, “We are not a narcotic drug producer, but we are a victim of it as other countries in the region and the world.”

Before the 1990s, there was no production, circulation, transit or use of narcotic drugs in Cambodia, but since the launching of the free market, the narcotic drug situation has changed dramatically, which needs high attention and action from the authorities at all levels, he said.

The International Day Against Drug is celebrated annually by the Royal Government of Cambodia since 1998 to raise awareness on that narcotic drugs, according to H.E. Ke Kim Yan, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Authority for Combating Drugs.

The celebration aims to raise awareness among people, especially the youths, about the serious impacts caused by these illicit drugs, as well as to encourage more public participation to fight against drug production, circulation and use effectively, he said.

Approximately 10,000 government officials, civil servants, non-governmental organizations attended the event.

Article in Khmer by CHIM Nary
Article in English by KHAN Sophirom