New strategy for drug control amid pandemic put in motion

New strategy for drug control amid pandemic put in motion

The secretary-general of the National Authority for Combating Drugs Meas Virith on Monday took part in the Asean Community post-2025 Vision video conference, where he delivered a report on drug trafficking issues and anti-drug initiative results within the Asean amid the pandemic.

The meeting was scheduled as part of the Asean Senior Officials on Drug Matters  organised by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He told Khmer Times that countries would need to seek a new policy to combat drugs and changing drug trafficking methods in the region and reached out to countries to work together and share advice on the issue.

“I reported the situation regarding drugs in the Asean at the meeting and the increasing trend in drug trafficking activities via the internet amid the crisis,” he said.

“For a solution, the Asean secretariat will gather the findings of the report and respond back to us by July 30.”

“Although we are amid a pandemic, our anti-drug mission will still resume. We have increased our efforts and we will adopt the new strategy recommendations resulting from the ASODM,” Virith added.

He said that the Asean secretariat will review further on the drug report at a ministerial meeting as the new measures develop.

Virith also affirmed the country’s commitment to the implementation of the Asean drug-free community security policy 2016-2025.

“We are committed to the implementation and monitoring of this plan, which we believe is paramount to achieve the vision of a drug-free Asean community,” he said.

“We need the cooperation of all sectors and entities to reach our goal,” he said.

Credited: Khmer Times