Cambodia Urges Youth to Prevent Drug Use and Traffic Accidents

In Cambodia's northwestern Banteay Meanchey province, an awareness campaign is underway to protect the community from the dangers of drug abuse and traffic accidents. On July 18, 2026, Yim Samnang, the provincial deputy governor, attended a session on "Drug Prevention and Road Traffic Law Compliance" for members of the Youth Federation of Cambodia (YFSK) in Mongkol Borei district, delivering a strong message to the youth. Deputy Governor Yim Samnang emphasized that youth are the driving force and cornerstone of the nation's future. However, he warned that their energy could be destroyed if they fall into traps such as drug use and disregard for traffic laws. He stated that drugs not only harm an individual's health and future but also impose a heavy burden on families and threaten the overall security of society. He urged the YFSK youth to resolutely say "no" to drugs and actively participate in preventing and reporting drug-related crimes in their communities. Regarding traffic accidents, he highlighted that lives are lost daily and stressed the importance of driving cautiously, always wearing a helmet, and absolutely avoiding driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs to protect their own lives and those of others. He also highly praised the spirit of cooperation and high sense of responsibility shown by Ouk Sophap, the head of YFSK in Mongkol Borei district, and his leadership team and members. He expressed gratitude for their close collaboration with provincial and district authorities, commune administrations, and the three forces (gendarmerie, police, and military), which led to this valuable awareness campaign. Furthermore, the deputy governor encouraged all YFSK members in Mongkol Borei district to become "ambassadors of goodwill" after gaining knowledge from this session, continuing to share and disseminate this information to their friends, families, and community members. He expressed his hope that they would collectively contribute to building a safe society free from drugs and traffic accidents. This initiative represents a significant step towards the healthy development of Cambodian youth and ensuring the safety of the entire society.