DRUG PROGRAMS

Friends-International Drug Project
Friends was established 15 years ago in Phnom Penh and was the first organization to develop drug services in Cambodia. Friends-International is working with drug using youth as a developmental process through a holistic continuum of care.

Key Developments: Drug Services

1994     Friends is established as NGO
1998     The first drug services are developed in Cambodia, by Friends
2001     Harm reduction starts through outreach and drop in centres
2003     (May) The first needle and syringe exchange program is introduced by Friends
2004     Symptomatic detoxification and formal rehabilitation are set up
2004     Friends-International and Mith Samlanh are established as two separate NGO’s
2006     Friends-International starts to expand collaboration to scale up service delivery
2008     Narcotics Anonymous support group for Cambodians facilitated by Friends-International

Key Developments: Drug Use

1997     First solvent use is observed on the Cambodian-Thai border
1998     Solvent use establishes itself quickly in Phnom Penh
1999     First substance use survey (by Friends) shows almost 30% regular use (solvents) among street children and youth in Phnom Penh
2000     Methamphetamine and heroin use first identified on the streets of Phnom Penh
2000     First injecting drug use (methamphetamine) identified
2003     Methamphetamine overtakes solvents as most commonly used narcotic substance
2003     Injecting drug use accounts for 6% of narcotic substance use on Phnom Penh’s streets
2004     Injecting drug use increases by almost 4% compared to the previous year
2004     Solvent abuse still accounts for over 75% among children under 15 years
2006     % of narcotic substance use among females over 19 years equals % among males
2006     Massive rise in poly substance use due to lack of supply of certain illicit narcotics
2006     Vast establishment of crystal methamphetamine on the streets of Phnom Penh
2008     Regular narcotic substance use among street children and youth stands at over 50%
2009     Crystal methamphetamine is growing and is becoming the most commonly used drugs on the streets of Phnom Penh

Drug Use in Cambodia
Recent surveys conducted by Friends-International and its partner Mith Samlanh show that about half of the total number of street children and youth in Phnom Penh (estimated at 24,000 individuals) use narcotic substances. Drug use among young people in Cambodia is on the rise. Methamphetamine and crystal methamphetamine are the most popular and combination drug use and poly drug use are common. Injecting heroin is concentrated in the capital Phnom Penh. Both intravenous drug use and smoking of methamphetamines brings significantly increased risks of spreading HIV/AIDS, Sexual Transmitted Infections, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis and other infections.

Friends-International and Mith Samlanh offer a holistic continuum of care for young people that is extraordinary and scarce in the world. Drug services include prevention, harm reduction, detoxification, rehabilitation, reintegration and aftercare. Through an inclusive process young people with or without drug use backgrounds receive life skills education, medical care, schooling, vocational training with practical learning in one of the business ventures such as the restaurants, the beauty salon or one of the Friends shops.

Prevention and Harm Reduction
Friends-International successfully lobbied to get authorization for the first needle and syringe program in Cambodia, making harm reduction a policy of the country. Drug prevention and harm reduction are delivered through outreach and (mobile) drop in centres. Friends-International is currently involved in the development of the first Opioid Substitution Program in the country as introduced by the Cambodian Ministry of Health through Methadone Maintenance Therapy.

Detox, Rehab and Reintegration
Each year, 130 young people receive drug treatment and social rehabilitation. They are supported to integrate successfully in all aspects of society through education and vocational training, job placement and reintegration with their family and community. Tailoring and design businesses are established to equip former drug using youth and those affected by HIV/AIDS with skills and marketing experience so they can sustain an income. These processes contribute to the rehabilitation of communities affected by drug use and related harms.

Building Networks
Through its projects and in collaboration with Mith Samlanh and other partners, Friends-International works to empower children and youth to build their futures. Developing the capacity of local organizations and relevant Government agencies across Cambodia is part of Friends-International’s efforts to encourage long term development outcomes. Friends-International delivers training and shares expertise on drug use and related issues with the Government of Cambodia and other service providers. By building networks among these agencies, the scope and quality of drug services strengthens.

Friends-International
Together, building futures.

Street children are seen in all large cities of the world: children of all ages living, begging and working on the streets. Their number keeps increasing– the total number of street children has been estimated at 150 million. Friends-International works for street children and marginalized young people in urban areas.

Friends-International offers creative and exciting projects involving the children, their families and their communities, to reduce the number of children and youth living on the streets and in the margins of society in South East Asia and beyond.

Friends-International is running projects worldwide for and with marginalized children and youth up to 25 years of age, attempting to reintegrate these children into their society. Friends-International works with a developmental and sustainable perspective in accordance with the Convention of the Rights of the Child (UN-CRC). Friends-International implements projects in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar and works with partner organizations in Egypt, Mexico and Honduras. Support Offices are located in Europe and the USA, the Head Office is located in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Friends-International’s Drug Project is supported by

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