Illicit Drug use in the Asia Pacific Region - Burnet Institute

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Situational analysis of illicit drug issues and responses in the Asia–Pacific region 10 2 .2 Cambodia Population: 13,363,421 2 .2 .1 Overview of recent drug trends The majority of situation assessments undertaken in the past few years point to the same conclusions with respect to type of drugs used in Cambodia: yama is the most frequently used drug; cannabis, heroin, opium and ecstasy are also prevalent . The most common method for using illicit drugs was by smoking . The study undertaken by Mith Samlanh–Friends in 2002 showed the most common drugs reportedly used by the street-based youth interviewed in the capital, Phnom Penh, were glue (71%) and yama (65%) . Glue is preferred mainly by younger (less than 15 years) and poorer youth, including girls . Heroin injecting was evident among male street children aged 14+ years in Phnom Penh . 2 .2 .2 Prevalence of drug use There are no national population estimates for drug use in Cambodia . The UNODC estimates a population prevalence of 4 per cent, which suggests there are about 520,000 substance users in Cambodia (population of 13 million) . Data are obtained monthly from up to four sources: law enforcement, local authorities, social affairs, and schools using simple reports . In the August 2005 reports (June 2004 – December 2004) the total number of illicit drug users across the nine provinces was estimated to be 5044 people, equivalent to 0 .08 per cent of the population in the nine provinces (or 0 .15% of the population aged 15–64 years of age) . 2 .2 .3 Drug supply Cambodia shares borders with the world’s major producers of opium and heroin . Based on seizures, street price and availability indicators, authorities report large quantities of illicit drugs are entering Cambodia for domestic consumption as well as transiting en route to other countries . Law enforcement authorities in Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam believe that the Mekong River, flowing from Southern China through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, together with the road network, is being used to traffic illicit drugs . According to the UNODC, drug trafficking of amphetamine-type substances (ATS) into Cambodia in 2004 increased ten times compared to 2003 . Since the mid-1990s Cambodia has been used for transiting heroin and cannabis . Cambodia has become one of the largest sources of cannabis for the world market . Cannabis is cultivated within Cambodia on an organised basis for export . Indicators suggest methamphetamine may be increasingly manufactured in Cambodia . 2 .2 .4 Drug-taking practices, risk factors and trends Due to the lack of surveillance data, the true nature and extent of drug-related HIV prevalence and risk in Cambodia remain unclear . From the limited data available, there is evidence to suggest an increase in injecting drug use in major urban centres, and there is a strong suggestion that factors for HIV transmission through injecting drug use (IDU) already exist in Cambodia . The I-RARE 2 .2 .5 Summary table Estimated number of current drug users 520,000 Main drugs used Yama (amphetamine) study reported that every injecting drug user they interviewed in their study said they reused needles and syringes . The methods of administration of glue and amphetamines do not pose a risk of HIV transmission; however, the behaviours associated with their use do increase HIV vulnerability through high-risk sexual behaviour (non-use of condoms) . However, over the past year there is evidence of injecting methamphetamine in Phnom Penh . Drugs injected Heroin and methamphetamine Estimated prevalence of HIV infection among IDUs 37% amongst IDU street-based youth in Phnom Penh 11 Country summaries: Cambodia
Situational analysis of illicit drug issues and responses in the Asia–Pacific region 12 2 .2 .6 Country responses Policy and legislation Agreements and treaties 1961, 1971, 1988 UN Drug Conventions National drug control policy Main drug control legislation National Drug Control Master Plan (2006–10) Law on the Control of Drugs 1997 as amended in 2005 Drug control policy National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) lead agency Law enforcement bodies National police of the Ministry of Interior; Military Police of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) Drug use addressed in last Yes National HIV/AIDS Plan Possession of No N&S unlawful Harm reduction Yes . Stated as an intervention in the Drug Control Master Plan . Needle and syringe programs (NSPs) A pilot NSP, as part of a broad harm reduction program, is operating in Phnom Penh under authorisation from NACD (2004–06 inclusive); a second NGO has received similar authorisation from NACD to commence NSP in 2005 as part of a broader harm reduction program . Peer-based approaches No Supply reduction The Royal Government of Cambodia has adopted various strategies for responding to illicit drug issues in the country including supply reduction . Crop eradication Yes Demand reduction The demand reduction approach is limited . Currently there are no treatment and rehabilitation services available for the general population . Treatment Five-year Master Plan outlines establishing policies and services for drug treatment . Street children/youth in Phnom Penh and Poipet have access to limited counselling, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration activities run by several NGOs . One mental health unit at one hospital in Phnom Penh provides drug abuse counselling and limited symptomatic treatment . One private clinic in Phnom Penh provides symptomatic medications for opiate treatment but at high cost . Voluntary or self-referral Drug control law 1997 provides for voluntary referral for users . Compulsory Yes, being planned by the Cambodian Government to be based in Phnom Penh . Methadone for No detoxification Substitution therapy No Most common type Symptomatic medications and mental health treatment of treatment provided Primary prevention Yes, but limited School-based education Yes Community education Yes, but limited 13 Country summaries: Cambodia
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Illicit Drug use in the Asia Pacific Region - Burnet Institute

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