Cambodia Faces Persistent Drug, Juvenile Delinquency, and Gambling Issues: Calls for Enhanced Local Countermeasures

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sar Sokha, has pointed out that drug trafficking, juvenile delinquency, gambling, and theft remain at high levels in local communities. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the conference to summarize the achievements of the 5th mandate (2022-2025) of the Commune/Sangkat Councils on September 7, 2026, at the Sokha Hotel in Phnom Penh, he emphasized the importance of relevant authorities collaborating to promote the "Safe Commune/Sangkat" policy for the safety and security of the citizens. He particularly urged for intensified crackdowns on drug crimes, noting that drug trafficking is still at a high rate. "The repeated issues that residents request to be resolved without action cause difficulties in their participation," he stated, revealing that a survey conducted in nearly 400 communes/sangkats identified drug problems, juvenile delinquency, livestock theft, and gambling as issues still occurring at a high rate in local areas. He added that drug problems are not unique to Cambodia but are a global issue. The minister expressed significant concern over the scale of drug seizures, noting that while past confiscations were around 5 kilograms, recent busts have reached nearly one ton. Furthermore, he mentioned that foreign nationals involved in drug exports, previously mostly from African countries, now include individuals from Britain, Japan, and Korea. Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha also highlighted the broader role played by Commune/Sangkat Councils during the 5th mandate. Specifically, commune/sangkat administrations implemented and completed a total of 9,824 economic projects. These included the construction and improvement of over 4,520 kilometers of concrete roads, more than 11,434 kilometers of red gravel roads, as well as rubber-paved roads, small concrete bridges, irrigation systems, and other essential infrastructure. He underscored that the decentralization and deconcentration reforms have become firmly rooted in Cambodia's governance system over the past two decades since the first Commune/Sangkat Council elections in 2002. The councils, elected directly by the people, have significantly contributed to strengthening representation, participation, transparency, accountability, and ownership at the local level, under an environment of peace, political stability, and national unity. Information Source: AKP Khmer