A meeting took place in Hanoi, on June 16^th, in response to the Action Month on Drug Prevention and Control, gathering a large number of students.

Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam addresses the meeting. (Photo: VGP)

The event saw the attendance of Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, representatives from the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, the Vietnam National Committee for Prevention and Control of AIDS, Drugs and Prostitution, and leaders of different ministries.

This year’s action month, themed “Protecting youths from drug dangers”, aims to call on joint efforts to protect young people from the temptation of synthetic drugs and new psychotropic substances.

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 15^th, 2017, the functional forces detected and arrested 22,346 cases, with 34,494 subjects (an increase of 3,031 cases and 3,493 subjects against the previous year), and seized 906.7 kg of heroin, as well as nearly 1 million synthetic drug capsules. Between 2017 and March 2018, 13 ha of opium poppy plantation were discovered and destroyed.

At present, there are 222,582 drug addicts who have management records and spend around VND 2.1 trillion (USD 92.4 million) each year on drugs.

Addressing the event, Deputy PM Dam equested 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.

He called on youngsters to equip themselves with measures on drug prevention and control, while warning their friends, family members and relatives on the dangers of drug use.

He stressed the important role played by communication agencies in raising public awareness of drug-related crimes and their impacts, and increasing the community’s responsibility in the fight against drug abuse./.

VNF