PM urges concerted effort with public participation in drug fight
PRIME Minister Hun Sen appealed for public participation and concerted efforts in the fight against drugs to prevent them from plaguing society.
Hun Sen made the call ahead of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, marked globally on June 26 this year under the theme “Share Facts on Drugs, Save Lives”.
Cambodia observes the event with its own theme: “No Drugs, No Covid-19, Make the Communities Safe and Developed”.
“I also appeal to parents and guardians to be more attentive and advise children to stay away from drugs, protect themselves from Covid-19 and avoid the negative effects of drugs in the communities.
“If you know that your children are involved in drugs, you have to report to the local or specialised authorities for help. You must not hide the problem because it can cause dangers and severe suffering to yourself, family and community as a whole,” he said.
The prime minister urged relevant authorities to continue their work in the drug fight, education and treatment. He also reminded them not to associate themselves with drug crimes by avoiding the three don’ts – don’t get involved, don’t intervene and don’t make excuses.
According to the prime minister, Cambodia’s antidrug campaign has not been loosen despite the Kingdom, as with other countries, facing difficulties posed by the Covid-19 crisis.
In 2020, Cambodia cracked down on 10,461 cases of drug crimes, an increase of 6.79 per cent compared to 2019. The number of suspects was 21,566, an increase of 5.25 per cent compared to the same period.
But the amount of drugs had skyrocketed in 2020, with 3,875kg of all kinds of drugs seized. This represented an increase of 516 per cent compared to the previous year, according to the prime minister’s message.