The National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD), along with the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Administration, began a four-day training seminar for the staff of the province’s new national rehabilitation centre on April 4.

The training took place at the centre in the presence of Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation secretary of state Thou Sun, Ministry of Health technical director-general Hok Kim Cheng and NACD deputy secretary-general Chey Bopha.

The session was co-organised by the NACD, the health and social affairs ministries and the provincial drug control committee.

Sun said close attention was being paid to improving the effectiveness of the treatment and rehabilitation services that would be offered to recovering addicts at the facility.

“The national centre was designed to international standards and is an effective resource in the battle against drugs. It offers medical treatment as well as rehabilitation – so it provides addicts with care for their physical and mental health.

“Vocational training is also offered, so patients will gain real world skills. We aim to provide them with the chance to earn an honest living once they return to their communities.

“In addition, we offer work experience programmes here so they will gain experience, as was the desire of deputy prime minister Ke Kim Yan, chairman of the NACD,” he said.

Sun reminded the participants of the seminar to soak up as much knowledge as possible while they had the opportunity.

Lim Tong Huot, director of the NACD’s Legislation, Education and Rehabilitation Department, said the training aimed to increase the skills of the centre’s staff by providing lessons and sharing the experience of medical professionals and specialists in the field of rehabilitation.

“The centre specialises in the treatment of drug addicts, vocational training and providing jobs for drug victims who come to stay in the centre,” he said.

He added that after the four-day training, the 45 officials would be required to serve at the centre.