Deputy Prime Minister Trần Lưu Quang, chairman of the National Committee for AIDS, drug and prostitution prevention and control, chairs the conference. — VNA/VNS Photo Lâm Khánh

Deputy minister of Public Security Nguyễn Duy Ngọc made a report during the meeting to review the anti-drug efforts in 2023 and outline key directions and tasks for 2024, organised yesterday by the National Committee for AIDS, Drugs and Prostitution Prevention and Control.

The law enforcement agencies of the Ministry of Public Security have discovered five new substances with effects similar to synthetic cannabis, not included in the list of drugs under the government's decree. 

They have also found new methods of drug production appearing for the first time in Laos, Việt Nam, and other countries in the region.

Currently, there are more than 229,260 people nationwide involved in illegal drug use, including drug addicts and individuals under drug rehabilitation, with 43,748 illicit drug users. Thousands of illicit drug users and drug addicts exhibit signs of psychosis.

This results in significant drug consumption, putting pressure on drug prevention and control efforts and posing a high risk of drug-related crimes, other criminal activities, and legal violations, destabilising public security in many localities, Ngọc said.

Notably, the number of drivers of passenger and goods transport businesses testing positive for drugs has continued to rise. 

Illegal drug cultivation is in check, but in remote and border areas of the north-western and central highlands regions there is still the cultivation of opium and marijuana plants among other crops.

The deputy minister said that in 2023, the Ministry of Public Security implemented comprehensive measures to prevent and combat drug-related activities, leading to the discovery and seizure of large quantities of drugs, contributing to limiting the drug supply. 

The ministry also effectively implemented preventive measures and fought against drug-related crimes, along with international cooperation on drug prevention and control with Laos, Cambodia, Australia, the United States, South Korea and European countries.

Amid rising crime, he urged units to continue coordinating closely with the ministry's Criminal Investigation Police Department to combat drug-related crimes and prevent Việt Nam from becoming a transit hub or production site for drugs.

Deputy minister also proposed that the Ministry of Justice promptly establish administrative violation penalty data related to drugs to facilitate the connectivity, coordination and management of relevant authorities. 

At the meeting, participants also discussed and analysed difficulties and challenges, while proposing solutions to address existing limitations and constraints in each locality and sector under their management responsibility. 

In his speech at the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Trần Lưu Quang, chairman of the National Committee for AIDS, drug and prostitution prevention and control, urged ministries, sectors and localities to ensure adequate human and material resources to support rehabilitation centres. 

He also expressed concerns about the fact that the number of drug addicts, prostitutes and individuals with AIDS being detected still remains small compared to the actual situation, especially the high risk of AIDS transmission among young people.

Assigning tasks to units, ministries, sectors and localities for the year 2024 regarding the prevention and control of AIDS, drugs and prostitution, deputy Prime Minister emphasised the need to review and harmonise relevant regulations and mechanisms, and report to the government to promptly resolve any difficulties. 

He highlighted that communication efforts should be diverse and innovative, with special emphasis on reaching out to young people.

He also directed ministries, sectors and localities to enhance the effectiveness of management, rehabilitation and prevention of drugs, AIDS and prostitution. 

He emphasised the need to replicate successful measures and practices from different localities, and improve coordination between ministries, sectors and organisations regionally and globally to better prevent and control AIDS, drugs and prostitution. — VNS