(all photos: UNODC/Jim Coyne)
(Click to see large image)
Former drug user, Mr. Chum Sophol pictured with his wife and daughter. Mr. Sophol was given a soft loan and training from SEADO to start a cricket farm, which he now uses to support his wife and four daughters.
Crickets at a cricket farm. Cricket farms are a part of the CBTx programme which provides income-generating activities at several pilot locations in Banteay Meanchay province. Assisting drug users and their families in generating income is part of a comprehensive approach to drug treatment and care within the local community.
Children playing with crickets at a UNODC and SEADO supported cricket farm. Crickets are a delicacy in Cambodia and breeding them allow patients to raise income. These income-generating activities help drug users and their families earn a living and re-integrate into their local community.
Community members listen as drug use concern is discussed at a community meeting.
A community member express concerns about illegal drug use at a SEADO-organized neighborhood meeting in Poipet. "Many of our community and peer educators are former drug users so they know how difficult it can be to stop using drugs," said Mr. Kong Samnang, SEADO Executive Director. "They speak from experience and can build trust in their community."
SEADO outreach staff member Ms. Kem Lyda meets with Mr. Houn Toum who has been funded by SEADO to build a chicken coop and raise chickens. He is very happy for the support provided by UNODC and has overcome his addiction through the CBTx programme.
CBTx patient, Toum, with one of his chickens. Toum's interest in chicken breeding is a result of the supported income-generating activity (IGA) service which includes financial support and training, provided by SEADO staff.
CBTx patient, Toum, is interested in raising chickens, and uses his newfound interest to generate income. "He sells their eggs in the market for income. Thanks to his training, he's focused on breeding good, strong chickens." - Kong Samnang, SEADO Executive Director.
Two women prepare cassava in Malai, an area involved with CBTx pilot programme. After the cassava dries, it is sold in Thailand.
Malai Health Centre staff member with orange case files in the background. UNODC Cambodia's CBTx programme is an alternative to the Compulsory Centres for Drug Users (CCDUs), and provides drug users with voluntary, cost-effective and rights-based drug treatment and care services in their home communities.
Health centre staff member discussing his work at a CBTx project site in Malai District in Banteay Meanchey. The UNODC supported programme provides services including individually tailored plans for counselling, health care, self-help, harm-minimization education and vocational training.
Health centre staff member at a CBTx project site in the Malai District. Health workers, trained through the UNODC CBTx programme, register and evaluate patients and refer them to a doctor to begin a treatment programme, with repeating visits and other health services such as HIV/AIDS and STI testing.
A health worker chats with a drug user at the Malai Health Centre, one of eight health centres involved in the initial phase of UNODC Cambodia's community-based drug treatment programme. Each health centre provides basic medical services to 8,000-10,000 people.
A health worker meets with a drug user at the Malai Health Centre. At the start of the project around 20 drug users were identified, however when services were available more than 100 drug users came to access health check-ups.
