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Cambodia community drug treatment project expands to two more provinces
29 February - 1 March 2012

(all photos: UNODC/Jim Coyne)

(Click to see large image)


A CBTx doctor (left) provides a patient (right) with a yellow health monitoring book to allow the tracking of symptoms, treatment and health check appointments. The green card, enforced by HE. Ke Kim Yan, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the National Authority for Combating Drugs, is for patients to show to police and authorities if they encounter problems.

 


Mr. Kong Samnang, Executive Director, SEADO, talks at a meeting with UNODC and a WHO team in Poipet. They discuss the achievements, challenges and lessons learned in the CBTx pilot. The achievements include enhanced referral mechanisms for drug users and challenges include the need for ongoing sensitisation of the police and local authorities, to allow treatment within local communities.

 


Mr. Kong Samnang, Executive Director, SEADO, talks with drug users and community members about what measures have been taken to improve access to health and social services. SEADO's services include outreach to identify drug users, peer counseling and education and community awareness-raising.

 


Mr. Kong Samnang, Executive Director, SEADO, talks with drug users and community members about what measures have been taken to improve access to health and social services.

 


A staff member talks with community members. The UNODC developed CBTx programme has been piloted in Banteay Meanchey Province in Northwest Cambodia since 2011.

 


The Cambodian community of Poipet, on of the eight Banteay Meanchey communities to participate in the UNODC CBTx pilot programme. The communities were selected because of a high concentration of drug users and the willingness of local district, commune and village leaders to provide alternative approaches to drug use-related problems.

 


A CBTx staff member talks with drug users and community members about the threat of illegal drug use in local communities. Currently, five districts and eight Banteay Meanchey communes participate in the UNODC CBTx pilot programme.

 


A UNODC-supported CBTx outreach worker talks with patients. Outreach workers provide self-help group meetings as well as counseling to illegal drug users. Close relationships between staff members and patients allow the staff to monitor the progress of those recovering from drug addiction.

 


Peer educators ensure the attendance list is filled out and provide a hygiene kit to participants. Keeping records of patients is important to ensuring thorough attendance as well as following up on people that fail to join the group meeting. This also allows the UNODC to monitor the success of the programme.

 


Promoting health messages such as reducing hazards related to drug use and safe sexual practice are key focus areas of the CBTx provided education. Along with this, participants are provided with a hygiene kit including soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and condoms. The kit provides an incentive for participation as well as practical reminders of key messages related to self care.

 


Two health workers monitor patient progress at a health centre. CBTx has provided training, material and support to the Provincial Health Department of Banteay Meanchey to strengthen service delivery for people who use drugs. At the community level this results in more informed, friendly and helpful health centre staff who encourage drug users to improve their health situation.

 


Poipet I Health Center, one of eight Banteay Meanchay centers involved in the initial phase of Cambodia's pilot CBTx programme. The CBTx pilot programme started in two Health Operational Districts. After encouraging results during its pilot phase, the UNODC is looking to expand the programme this June.

 


A health centre staff member at UNODC partner SEADO contacts patients to check in on their treatment and remind them of their appointments and treatment schedule.

 


Patients repair mobile phones as a means to generate income. Other SEADO financed activities include cricket farming, chicken farming, pig raising, motorbike and mobile phone repair, barber shops, and a cassava-drying facility.

 


A CBTx patient repairs a mobile phone in a shop in Sereysophorn. The shop is one of many small businesses set up using a soft-loan from UNODC partner SEADO, to allow patients a means to generate income.

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