Educational drug libraries planned for B Meanchey
THE Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport and the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) are to establish three drugs libraries in Banteay Meanchey province to expand education on the matter to young people and combat the use of narcotics.
NACD Legislation, Education and Rehabilitation Department director Lim Tong Huot told The Post that NACD chairman Ke Kim Yan had laid out plans to set up the three libraries in the province.
He said one would be established on the campus of O’Chrou High School in Poipet town, the second in Serey Sophon High School in Sisophon town and the third in Phnom Srok High School in Banteay Meanchey provincial town.
“On Kim Yan’s recommendations on August 5, a team coordinated with the Ministry of Education and the Banteay Meanchey provincial Committee for Drugs Control, as well as relevant town and district authorities, and discussed the locations for the three drugs libraries,” Tong Huot said.
Soeur Socheata, undersecretary of state at the Ministry of Education, said that with the support of the ministry and the NACD, the Hun Sen Library at Boeung Trabek High School in Phnom Penh had been established, with it to be inaugurated soon.
“The drugs library is an electronic library featuring modern technology. The library contains a variety of information and knowledge to provide solutions to the drugs problem and ensure the safety of young people.
“This will make it easier for students and the public to learn more about the effects of drugs and other societal issues,” said Socheata, who is also chair of the team on the development of education materials for the prevention of drug use in schools.
The ministry and the NACD continue to provide health and drugs education at universities and high schools across the country, she added, with a workshop held on August 4 to spread information on the dangers to some 400 people including students and educators.
Tong Huot said the establishment of drugs libraries had been initiated at a meeting between Chinese officials, NACD chairman Kim Yan and Minister of Interior Sar Kheng.
The Chinese side had agreed to donate some $50,000 in support of the establishment of the libraries, he added, with Cambodia also requesting further support on technical operations for the digital libraries.*