A new drug treatment centre in Kandal will ease prison overcrowding in the province as most detainees are involved with drug offences, according to provincial governor Kong Sophorn.
Speaking at its inauguration on January 12, he said the new centre, located in Prek Koy commune’s Tuol Sophy village of Sa’ang district, is very important as a new achievement in the field of social work in the province.
Minister of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation Vong Soth said at the inauguration that the centre would play an important role in the fight against drugs and the work of treatment, education, rehabilitation, vocational training and integration of drug addicts into the community.
He added that the centre will also play an important role in solving social problems by providing treatment to drug addicts. The centre also contributes to the rehabilitation of drug addicts through vocational education and training of appropriate skills for them to make a living before they re-enter the community.
At the centre’s opening, Ke Kim Yan, chairman of the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD), reminded members of the armed forces and authorities at all levels in Kandal province to continue to maintain security, public order and deliver better public services.
He said the authorities must continue to urge people to implement the "safe village-commune" policy, especially regarding drug crimes in both urban and rural areas.
Consisting of 15 buildings, the newly opened centre is built on an area of 48,830sqm. Five of the buildings are new and 10 are renovated. Its construction and renovation began on February 20, 2020, and was completed on February 20, 2021.
