Cambodia Frames Drug Addiction Treatment as 'Human Capital Development'

The Ministry of Health of Cambodia frames the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts not merely as participation in the fight against illicit drugs, but as a contribution to human capital development. This was stated by H.E. Prof. Chheang Ra, Minister of Health and Chairman of the Committee for the Fight Against Drug Addiction (K.P.S.K.N.), during a meeting of the K.P.S.K.N. Committee held on July 31, 2026, to review progress and strengthen the implementation of care, treatment, rehabilitation, and social reintegration for drug addicts. The meeting was attended by approximately 100 leaders and representatives from relevant ministries, institutions, and provincial/municipal health departments. H.E. Prof. Chheang Ra emphasized that the treatment of drug addicts is a multi-sectoral undertaking requiring close cooperation between ministries, institutions, and local authorities to ensure quality management, treatment, and rehabilitation, enabling them to successfully return to community life. During the occasion, H.E. Prof. Chheang Ra provided important recommendations, including strengthening the quality of treatment, reinforcing the system for follow-up and referral, promoting prevention based on the principle of "prevention is better than cure" with the participation of authorities and families, as well as strengthening human resource development, expanding treatment services, and promoting the use of simple digital technologies for data management. H.E. Prof. Chheang Ra appealed to all ministries, institutions, and stakeholders to continue strengthening closer cooperation to enhance the effectiveness of care, treatment, rehabilitation, and social reintegration for drug addicts, aiming to contribute to improving the well-being and quality of life of the people. It is to be noted that during this meeting, representatives from the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, the General Secretariat of the National Authority for Combating Drugs, and the Ministry of Health reported on the progress of the 2026-2028 action plan implementation. The meeting also discussed challenges and solutions to further improve the quality of treatment, rehabilitation, and social reintegration services for drug addicts.