PM calls for public involvement in anti-drug fight
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has called for the involvement of the entire political system and the public in the fight against drug crimes, which have recently shown complicated developments.
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Without strong and drastic actions, the situation will become serious, he warned, adding that new types of drugs, especially synthetic ones, are not only smuggled into the country but also recently produced in Hanoi.
Deputy Minister of Public Security Le Quy Vuong said heroin and synthetic drugs are smuggled in Vietnam from abroad, particularly in border areas of the northwestern and north central regions. Notably, drug trafficking from Laos this year has increased by 4.6 times from last year, with more sophisticated tricks.
According to Vuong, the illegal trading and transport of synthetic drugs, particularly “ice” meth, surged from last year, mostly from China, Laos, Cambodia and Western African countries. A total of 19,333 drug crimes were discovered during 2016, with more than 31,000 suspects arrested.
He also reported that there are nearly 211,000 drug addicts in the country, up 10,600 from 2015.
Commenting on the cause of below-expectation drug detoxification work, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Trong Dam said many localities are yet to pay due attention to the work.
In the northern provinces of Dien Bien, Lai Chau and Nam Dinh, the funding for the work only meets 2-4 percent of the demand while staffs of rehabilitation centres lack necessary skills.
Several centres are overcrowded, making it easier for drug addicts to stage breakout and flee, he said.
Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said drug addicts in many localities have been given access to methadone therapy, fulfilling 63 percent of the target.
She vowed readiness to offer medicines and training to medical staff but local authorities must arrange personnel to monitor the effort.
Concluding the event, the PM asked the border and coast guards, and public security forces to increase crackdowns on drug crimes and give strict sentences to drug ring leaders.
The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs was required to spread drug rehabilitation models while the Health Ministry should multiply effective treatment.
He requested localities allocate sufficient funding for the effort.
The media is responsible for raising public awareness of drug’s danger and competent agencies will recheck drug detoxification policies./
