Ministry of Information launches drug test campaign on nearly 2,000 officials

Officials of the Ministry of Information of all levels, together with advisors, assistants, and contract staff led by Minister Neth Pheaktra, kicked off the two-day (May 7-8) urine rapid drug tests at the ministry’s office here this morning.

The launch of a drug testing campaign on the leadership and officials of the Ministry of Information now aims to achieve the commitment that “Cambodia is a drug-free country and keeps each family a clean, drug-free family from the perspective of joining together for a drug-free life and community.”

Pheaktra said that the drug testing work in the ranks of 1,840 civil servants at all levels of the Ministry of Information was carried out in accordance with the implementation of the order of the Head of the Royal Government on the introduction of strict measures to combat illegal drugs in ministries, institutions, and sub national administrations. “We all have a duty to test for drugs, including me,” he said.

To set an example for other civil servants, the Minister of Information conducted drug testing, followed by leaders and civil servants from the General Department of Skills. At the same time, Pheaktra thanked Dr. Neth Savoeun, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Authority for Combating Drugs, for providing technical officers to help test for drugs and thanked all the leaders and assistants for their active participation in fulfilling this important duty.

According to a report provided by the National Authority for Combating Drugs, as of April 29, 2024, a number of ministries, institutions, and sub-national administrations have been tasked with enforcing this regulation by conducting urine rapid drug tests on a total of 56,445 civil servants, national police officers, soldiers, and contracted officers, 76 of whom had positive drug results and were expelled.