The National Authority for Combatting Drugs (NACD) conducted a range of public outreach campaigns in Siem Reap province over the Khmer New Year period. NACD
The social issue of drugs and the promotion of the NoDrug mobile app were widely publicised to the visitors of the Angkor Sankranta event in Siem Reap, as well as to passengers travelling by city bus to their hometowns before and during the Khmer New Year festival, as part of wider efforts to raise awareness about anti-drug efforts.
The campaign was carried out by the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Commerce, Phnom Penh City Hall and the Siem Reap Provincial Drug Control Committee, along with various private sector contributors.
Lim Tonghout, head of the NACD’s Department of Public Relations, Education and Awareness, explained that the two-day outreach campaign took place on April 13 and 14 during the Angkor Sankranta celebrations. Many people visiting Siem Reap and attending the festival showed great interest in the NACD’s exhibition booths, which were set up in the Angkor area and along the riverbanks in Siem Reap town.
The National Authority for Combatting Drugs (NACD) conducted a range of public outreach campaigns in Siem Reap province over the Khmer New Year period. NACD
“People took time to learn and gain new experiences about drug-related work and also downloaded the NoDrug App [https://nodrugsnacd.com/download_kh], a tech platform which offers fast access to information and serves as a means to report drug-related problems in the community,” he said.
During the event, Lao Sovichea, deputy director-general of Tourism Development and International Cooperation at the tourism ministry, who represents the ministry’s drug control working group, reiterated that Cambodia aims to be a “drug-free cultural, historical and nature-based tourism destination”.
Meas Vyrith, secretary-general of the NACD, said the public showed strong interest in the exhibition.
“This work was carried out in collaboration with many relevant partners. We aim to build inclusive, multisectoral engagement and drive a national movement,” he added.
With the support of private sector partners, the National Authority for Combatting Drugs (NACD) publicised its NoDrug App on buses taking holidaymakers home for Khmer New Year. NACD
Additionally, the NACD and Phnom Penh City Hall targetted a drug awareness campaign at people traveling to their hometowns via city buses on April 12. Around 600 NoDrug App QR code stickers were placed on buses transporting people home for the New Year holiday, encouraging them to download and use the app to join the government’s anti-drug efforts.
Keo Channarith, director of the Phnom Penh City Bus public transport service, urged all drivers and bus staff to actively promote the NoDrug App to passengers.
With the support of private sector partners, the National Authority for Combatting Drugs (NACD) publicised its NoDrug App on buses taking holidaymakers home for Khmer New Year. NACD
Tonghout noted that, during the Khmer New Year, the NACD is collaborating with the Phnom Penh Drug Control Committee to increase public awareness of drug issues through various programmes. These include drug prevention messages during concerts and dance events, digital billboards promoting the NoDrug App across Phnom Penh and in provincial branches, and posters at key locations.
The NoDrug mobile app was officially launched in April 2024, and allows members of the public to anonymously report drug-related issues, thus helping them engage in the fight against illegal narcotics.
The NACD also reported that the Kingdom’s NoDrug App has attracted strong interest from ASEAN member states. During the 18th ASEAN Drug Monitoring Network Meeting, held in Manila, the Philippines from April 8 to 10, Cambodian officials shared their achievements in drug prevention over the past year and highlighted the app’s benefits.
“Representatives from ASEAN drug control agencies at the meeting expressed strong interest in the NoDrug App, which provides a high level of anonymity and safety for reporters — unlike other ASEAN countries, which only use hotline systems,” noted the authority.
