Vietnam helps Cambodia build drug rehabilitation centre

A drug treatment and rehabilitation centre was inaugurated in Cambodia’s coastal province of Preah Sihanouk on March 22, with part of its funding presented by Vietnam.

At the inauguration ceremony (Photo: VNA)
At the inauguration ceremony (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at the ceremony, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Ke Kim Yan emphasised that the illegal use of drugs has affected socio-economic and human resources development of many countries worldwide.

Cambodian competent forces seized nearly 4.7 tonnes of drugs last year, and nearly 166 tonnes of substances used for the production of synthetic drugs in January 2022.

Ke Kim Yan, who is also Chairman of the National Authority for Combating Drugs, said more than 16,260 drug addicts have been under monitoring of Cambodian competent agencies over the past time, of whom nearly 7,500 have received treatment and vocational training, and reintegrated into the society.

Covering 20ha in Stung Hao district, the drug treatment and rehabilitation centre would accommodate around 1,200 people. It was constructed at a cost of more than 7.4 million USD, of which 3 million USD came from the Vietnamese government and 1 million USD is from Thailand.

The Cambodian government took the occasion to thank the governments of Vietnam and other countries, organisations and individuals for their support in the construction.

In his remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Huy Tang stressed that the centre demonstrates cooperation between the two countries in drug rehabilitation and social affairs in general.

Vietnam stands ready to further cooperate and share its experience with Cambodia in drug rehabilitation as well as vocational training for drug addicts, he affirmed.