Speeches
Remarks by Ambassador Joseph A. Mussomeli, Daytop Drug Treatment Training Graduation
Phnom Penh
July 20, 2007
Excellency Sar Kheng, Excellency Lour Ramin, police and military officers, government officials, NGO representatives, and Daytop trainers:
Thank you for inviting me here today. I'm delighted to be here to congratulate you as you complete this drug treatment training program. This course, funded by the State Department and taught by drug treatment experts from the US-based NGO Daytop, underlines the shared US and Cambodian commitment to fighting drug use and helping those who abuse drugs.
This counternarcotics program illustrates that as partners, we assist each other in tackling our toughest problems. Whether those problems involve terrorism, improving health care, or narcotics, Cambodia and America stand together.
The drug problem in Cambodia is very real, and the biggest part of that problem, as you all know, is amphetamine-type stimulants. One source has estimated that as many as 150,000 methamphetamine tablets enter Cambodia daily. Some are consumed in Cambodia, and others are trafficked out of the country. And of course, this problem is not unique to Cambodia. We're able to help share our knowledge about battling drugs because we're also fighting the drug trade in our own country. America, like Cambodia, has a serious drug problem, but together we can alleviate it.
The battle against drugs is a long, arduous struggle. It does not lend itself to quick, easy solutions, and it cannot be won only by conventional means. The recent arrest of a major general reminds us that the drug problem cuts across all elements of Cambodian society--from street children to military officers--and that all drug traffickers, regardless of rank or position, should be held accountable for their actions and tried fairly in the courts.
The primary ingredient in this global battle against drugs is closer cooperation and coordination among like-minded countries, such as the United States and Cambodia. Recently, the US and Cambodia worked together closely to assess the condition of the methamphetamine lab discovered in Kampong Speu province on April 1, 2007 and to make plans to clean up the site. We in the US government are proud to support the clean up effort through a $60,000 contribution, and we are delighted that the Australian government has recently agreed to contribute $60,000 as well. We look forward to working with the Cambodian government, the Australian government, and the UN Office of Drugs and Crime in this effort.
All of you here are also an important part of this cooperation. During six weeks of training spread out over the past six months, you've learned about addiction, and what a powerful effect it has on the mind. You've learned about the therapeutic community model, which seeks to heal the whole individual, and his or her family and social network. Issues such as physical health, education, and work preparedness are all part of restoring drug users and their families to health and giving them the tools they need to move their lives forward and away from drugs.
But just as important as the formal knowledge you've gained have been the relationships and understanding you've built over the past six months. As participants, you represent 24 NGOs and many government institutions, including the National Mental Health Program; Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans, and Youth Rehabilitation; Military Police; National Police; Municipality of Phnom Penh; and National Authority for Combating Drugs. You come from 12 provinces across the country. You've gotten to know each other and have created formal and informal networks which I hope you will put to good use in improving drug treatment and rehabilitation capacity in Cambodia. You've also gotten to know many Daytop trainers, nearly all of whom are themselves recovering from drug addiction, and who are constant reminders that the personal battle against drugs, although very difficult, can be won.
Through these training sessions and close cooperation, the United States and Cambodia are working together to improve treatment options for drug users in Cambodia and stem the tide of ecstasy, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and other drugs. The close working relationship that we've forged in the counternarcotics arena is one that I hope can serve as a model for bilateral cooperation in other areas.
As we know all too well in the United States, the drug trade does not only affect drug users, it affects us all. Narcotics trafficking leads to increased violence and other crimes, and money spent on drugs and on the war on drugs is money that could otherwise be used to help improve people's lives through education and economic development. Drug use has a debilitating effect not only on the individual, but also on his or her family and community. I am glad that today we can stand together to applaud these ninety newly-trained professionals and to reaffirm our commitment to work together to battle this problem.
