Meeting marks anti-drug action month

The event saw the attendance of representatives from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the Vietnam National Committee for Prevention and Control of AIDS, Drugs and Prostitution, and leaders of different ministries.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, said the Government selected “protecting young generations against drug threats” as the theme of the action month this year.

He requested ministries, sectors and localities focus on improving their anti-drug work and increasing communications campaigns targeting young people.

Police should keep an eye on students with suspicious actions related to drugs to promptly inform their schools for early intervention, and clean up areas around schools and dormitories. 

The Deputy PM called on students to stay away from drug.

He recommended the Ministry of Information and Communications and news agencies increase their coverage and special programmes on drug prevention.

According to the Vietnam National Committee for Prevention and Control of AIDS, Drugs and Prostitution, there are about 2,300 drug hotspot across the country.

Reports from localities showed that as of November 15th, 2017, the number of documented drug addicts was 22,582, up 11,831 people from 2016. Between 2017 and March 2018, 13 ha of opium poppy plantation were discovered and destroyed.

In 2017, police investigated 22,346 drug cases, arrested 34,494 suspects, and seized 906.7 kg of heroin and 979.487 synthetic drug pills, among other drugs./.