Report launched in Cambodia on drug prevention
A National Youth Forum on “Drug Prevention and Youth Development” was held on Tuesday 03rd September, 2019 in Phnom Penh.
The event, a collaboration between Good Neighbours Cambodia (GNC) with the government ministries of National Authority for Combating Drug (NACD), Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) and Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training Affair (MoL), saw the launch of a drug survey report done voluntarily by young people.
Two hundred and five youths and adults gathered for the launch to look at possible intervention from government and stakeholders, and to motivate young people to continue their learning at higher education or through vocational skills training.
The youth representative from Snuol district, Kratie province, Ms. Phat Sophors reported that the availability of drugs in her community has a profound effect on how safe she feels and her learning capability. She is afraid of going to school and travelling to any places within her neighbourhood.
H.E Thong Sokunthea, deputy secretary-general of the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) commented that grassroots youths conducting a survey on drug issues was a ground breaking initiative. He went on to promise that he will increase the intervention by cooperating with all government ministries and stakeholders to prevent and fight against the use of drugs.
The Country Director of GNC, Jaekyun Rho, found the survey findings remarkable. He talked of the work GNC does to promote children’s rights and child protection and called for compulsory action from the relevant government intuitions and stakeholders.
He stated that fighting against drugs is the responsibility of everyone, and that people, especially children and youth at grassroots level, need to be protected and safe, so that they can enjoy living and learning for personal growth without fear.
He added that he was satisfied with the good collaboration of the government to promote children’s rights with particularly emphasis on preventing and fighting against drugs.
