DRUG PROGRAMS

Friends-International was the first organization to develop drug services in Cambodia and has been working with drug using children and youth since 1998.

Friends-International’s services are unique in South East Asia for their ability to provide a comprehensive continuum of care. The organization made harm reduction a reality in Cambodia by launching the first of such services and by securing the necessary authorizations from the Government. Since then, harm reduction is an official national policy. This has enabled the start-up of other projects and contributed to better protect drug users across the country.

In Phnom Penh, Cambodia, about 50 per cent of street youth regularly use drugs and those numbers are increasing. Some kids are as young as eight. 80 per cent of users of illicit drugs nationwide take some form of amphetamine, often to help them cope with the difficult nature of their work as scavengers or sex workers, or other menial labour. The effects of the drugs result in more hazardous (sexual) behaviour, leading to increased risk of HIV and STIs. The effects of drug taking on individuals and the community is far reaching and devastating.

Through direct and continuous contact with young people and through field research, Friends-International aims to remain informed of the patterns of drug use in Cambodia. Daily street and community-based outreach services and interaction with young people based on trust and respect provide insight into the issues confronting them. This is instrumental in delivering the most effective and appropriate services. Friends-International designs projects in response to the complex and changing needs of young people and the environment they live in, to ensure that programs ultimately remain advantageous to vulnerable children and youth.

Friends-International designs and promotes a continuum of care for young people with substance use issues, consisting of a wide-ranging scale of services to address their needs. This includes:

• drug use prevention and health education
• harm reduction services including needle and syringe provision, condom and hygiene product distribution
• detoxification and social rehabilitation
• inclusive aftercare and case management systems to prevent relapse, ensure appropriate medical care and to support sustainable reintegration in society

Former drug using youth are supported to go to school, access vocational training and obtain jobs, they have access to medical care and are supported to reintegrate into society. Each year 130 children and youth receive treatment and rehabilitation services. In order to respond to the increasing drug use issues across Cambodia, Friends-International is scaling-up its services and is expanding and intensifying its collaboration with local partners in Phnom Penh and various provinces.

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about Drug Program