Cambodia Urges Families to Prevent Drug Involvement Amidst Crackdown

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sar Sokha, urged the public to protect their families from drug involvement during the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and drug destruction ceremony held in Kampot province on July 21, 2026. This message aims to contribute to crime prevention, rescue of youth in particular, and support for the success of the illegal drug eradication campaign at the family and grassroots levels. The ceremony was held under the theme "Responding Together to Drug Problems with Innovation in a New Context." The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the importance of disseminating the spirit of this international day and contributing to the government's vision of building Cambodia into a country where drugs are no longer an obstacle or a societal problem. Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha expressed concern about the current state of drug offenses, which have changed significantly from the past and are no longer ordinary crimes. They are now closely linked to transnational organized crime, money laundering, human trafficking, and the use of digital technology in complex criminal networks. He pointed out that criminal groups constantly change their methods and tactics to evade the law. Amidst these concerns, the Minister of Interior also highlighted that Cambodian authorities are actively engaged in preventing and combating drug problems. As a specific example, he mentioned that since 2025, more than 5 tons of narcotics have been seized in Phnom Penh and Kampong Cham provinces, which are to be destroyed during this ceremony. The Deputy Prime Minister stated that currently, there is hardly any family that is not affected by or does not have a member involved in drug-related issues. To effectively prevent and eradicate this problem, he stressed that it is essential for all relevant parties, especially each family, to take the initiative in monitoring, educating, and guiding their children to stay away from drugs. As the Chairman of the National Authority for Combating Drugs, Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha strongly appealed to relevant ministries, institutions, armed forces, and citizens from all walks of life to continue upholding a high sense of responsibility and to jointly promote and implement all set measures and work directions to achieve the highest possible results and effectiveness. The total weight of narcotics and chemicals seized and destroyed during the event amounted to 5 tons, 622 kilograms, and 129.30 grams. This includes 4 tons, 611 kilograms, and 821.66 grams of narcotics, and 1 ton, 10 kilograms, and 307.64 grams of chemicals.