Six outstanding Cambodian students returned to the Kingdom on August 25 following their attendance of a 10-day youth forum on drug prevention in the greater Mekong sub-region.

An August 26 statement by the General Secretariat of the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) said they were welcomed home at Phnom Penh International Airport by the NACD’s Legislation, Education and Rehabilitation Department director Lim Tong Huot. The forum included representatives from Cambodia, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar.

Colonel Yin Yoeut, deputy director department, said it was clear was clear that the participants viewed the forum as a worthwhile and educational experience. They learnt a great deal about many aspects of the drug issue, including prevention strategies and even a field trip to an opium poppy plantation. The attendees also shared the history, culture and customs of their own countries with one another, in order to build closer regional connections.

He added that the students had sought to gain an understanding of the opium trade, and its close ties to the ‘golden triangle’. They had also visited museums in Thailand and Laos, and visited ancient temples in both nations. In Thailand, they learnt more about the Roi jai Rak Farm project, established in 2018, which has improved the land around Chiang Mai.

Yoeut said that all of the returning attendees had expressed their gratitude to Thailand and Laos for their warm welcomes, comfortable accommodation and healthy food. They were honoured to have been the recipients of knowledge which would enable them to make a difference in the fight against drugs, and were grateful for the chance to strengthen regional youth networks.

Thai Justice Minister Somsak said the golden triangle zone is a major source of drug production, and as such, has a major impact on the countries in the region. Developing a strong youth network is crucial towards ensuring future cooperation will be as progressive as it is currently, he added. He thanked the NACD for supporting the forum and sending youth representatives to attend.

Tong Huot thanked Thailand and Laos for hosting the forum and expressed gratitude to each of the countries which participated for their friendship.