Deputy PM Khiem expressed his thanks to the UNODC at a meeting in Hanoi on May 22 with its chief  Narumi Yamada, who unveiled another project on community-based drug detoxification following the successful implementation of the US$700,000 project launched in three northern mountainous provinces in 2003.

The UNDOC-funded project in Lao Cai, Son La and Dien Bien provinces has helped reduce the relapse rate among hundreds of members of post-drug rehabilitation clubs to a stunning low of only 12 percent.

The project  has provided soft credits for families of drug users to boost household economies, thus improving their living conditions and reducing local drug abuse, illegal drug trade and drug-related crimes, Mr. Khiem said in recognition of the UNODC's aid.

For her part, Ms. Narumi said that helping Vietnam reduce drug abuse among ethnic minority groups is the main goal of her visit.

Ms. Narumi said the UN is concerned about the spread of HIV/AIDS, especially among drug users, in northern Vietnamese mountainous provinces, where international aid against drug abuse among ethnic minority groups has remained limited as priority has been given to education and poverty reduction.

The UNODC chief recognised the initial progress made in the above-mentioned project.