claim their efforts are curbing drug use, people who have endured treatment at the hands of Cambodian authorities paint a different picture.
Staff members at drug treatment centers beat patients to unconsciousness, whipped them and made them participate in military-like drills. Authorities are also known to round up drug addicts, street walkers and poor children. Men, women and children have left facilities three to six months later, bruised and battered. As of 2013, eight centers practicing this kind of treatment are still operating.
Even though the Royal Government of Cambodia has relied on medieval methods of treatment, Cambodian-Americans believe in a more humane approach. Sony Preem, Substance Abuse Program Coordinator at the Cambodian Association of America, advocates traditional methods of group support and talk therapy in treating addiction.
Oftentimes, immigrants are referred to her clinic by the Los Angeles County Court or the Department of Child Support Services. They join a six-month or year-long program where they are taught new life skills in hopes that they will re-enter society clean and sober.
Opioid addiction spans across countries and borders, and receiving the right kind of treatment is vital in ending addiction. Advocates like Preem offer hope for a brighter future.
“We try to expand more [every day] through medical and the state so we can [treat] anyone and everyone who walks in,” Preem said.
