Drug users under rehabilitation at the National Centre for Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation in Keo Phos commune, in Preah Sihanouk province’s Stung Hav district on January 24. Preah Sihanouk Administration
Preah Sihanouk provincial governor Kuoch Chamroeun has instructed provincial authorities to step up a drug testing campaign, with the proviso that addicts be sent to rehabilitation centres, where they can get the help they need.
Drug testing has been carried out at highway checkpoints, as well as in cases where individuals who come into contact with the authorities are suspected to be drug users.
Chamroeun announced that in the past three months, the authorities identified more than 200 people with illegal drugs in their bodies, and sent them to rehab centres.
He made the announcement during a January 24 visit to the National Centre for Voluntary and Community-based Treatment Service and Rehabilitation for Drug Addicts, located in the province’s Stung Hav district.
According to a social media post by the provincial administration, while visiting, the governor delivered rice and other food to support the patients.
“The local authorities must be sure to send anyone who tests positive for drugs to a rehabilitation centre, so they can earn the skills they will need in order to reintegrate into society,” he said.
He added that testing will continue in order to keep the community safe.
Ny Sokha, president of the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC), believed that sending addicts to detention centres is not always the best option, especially if they are over-crowded, as this is detrimental to their human rights.
He added that the most important thing is to find and punish those who distribute drugs.
“If we test people for drugs and then punish them, this will not reduce the scale of the problem, as most of them are not traffickers but consumers. The most important thing is to go after the dealers and their networks,” he said.
Keo Veasna, director of the National Centre for Voluntary and Community-based Treatment Service and Rehabilitation for Drug Addicts, said there are currently 670 patients undergoing treatment and rehabilitation at the centre, 36 of them women.
He explained some of the services and facilities that the centre offers.
Vocational training is available, with courses on handicraft manufacturing, agriculture and additional workshops, as well as psychological support, exercise and life skills, in order to ensure that the patients can return to their families and become productive members of society.
