Drugs have been suppressed relentlessly in the past. The government is becoming more and more impatient and is using a heavier hand in this matter.
The head of the Royal Government of Cambodia has issued a strict order to take strict measures, closing or revoking the business licenses of entertainment clubs, condos, bars, karaoke, and any guesthouses that allow drug trafficking and use. But the authorities should not be stingy as the citizens accused before. Be very careful because the citizens now have a propaganda machine in their own hands.
This This is an order issued by the Prime Minister through instructions to territorial authorities at all levels, from authorities to communes/sangkats, through the 10th Anti-Drug Plan from January 1 to December 31, 2025.
Samdech Maha Prasad Hun Sen also noted in the plan that the drug situation in Cambodia has not yet shown a decline, including the distribution, trafficking, and manufacturing of drugs. And its use still continues to exist in Cambodian society.
In 2024, it is known that authorities closed nearly 50 business locations and cracked down on drug crimes by arresting tens of thousands of suspects. Authorities also seized nearly 43,000 kilograms of all types of drugs and 596,000 kilograms of chemicals.
During that period, authorities investigated and cracked down on 627 drug crimes by arresting nearly 200 ringleaders and more than 1,400 drug networks. In addition, nearly 146,000 drug addicts were sent for treatment and rehabilitation.
The Prime Minister set the goal that Cambodia should be a drug-free country, starting from individuals to families, in line with the vision of “Joining Together for a Drug-Free Life and Community.”
The Prime Minister also ordered local authorities to conduct local administration, especially in unregulated areas, including entertainment clubs, condos, bars, karaoke bars, and guesthouses, by monitoring and taking strict measures to close or revoke business licenses temporarily or permanently for any business location that allows the trading and use of drugs.
The King also warned that cleaning up drug trafficking should be done like cleaning the surface of a lake and keeping the lake water clear, in line with the slogan “3 Do 1 Report: Do not be involved, do not intervene, do not excuse and report all drug crimes. Understanding that drug abuse is a chronic social disease, this task requires time, high determination, and strict measures, not to be complacent, and not to take advantage of opportunities.
Regarding this crackdown issue, citizens have repeatedly stated that whenever there is an order or policy, there are always officials who act beyond reason for their own benefit, and sometimes there are corrupt officials who take advantage of this campaign to gain favor and manipulate the situation. But now, don’t be too harsh, because people are now smart and have many ways to fight back. They have mobile phones that can record and broadcast immediately.
So don’t be too harsh, and even when it comes to breaking up, the people who came before you are also very good. Don’t make fun of people these days because now they have the means to broadcast the irregularities that they encounter easily on their own. In this era, they don’t wait for someone to broadcast it for them. Every citizen has the latest social media updates at their fingertips, and these updates may reach the leadership. So be careful.
In short, when there are orders or instructions, the authorities must be careful to implement or comply with them and not take advantage of the opportunity to gain benefits. On the other hand, when it comes to operations, it is important to do it together, not just one shop and another.
In this matter of drugs, the consequences and karma may come back to us if we continue to let it continue to increase. Please pay attention to suppressing and implementing the regulations, and we, as citizens, should also join this campaign. Suppressing and eliminating drugs is the responsibility of all of us. We all have a duty to speak and act together to ensure that our families and communities are free from drugs.
