Hanoi (VNA) – PrimeMinister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has called for the involvement of the entirepolitical system and the public in the fight against drug crimes, which haverecently shown complicated developments.

Chairing a nationalteleconference on drug control in Hanoi on December 23, the PM expressed hisconcern that despite the discovery and strict punishment of many drug cases,drug crimes are yet to decline and drug abuse among young people is on therise, especially in big cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong,Dong Nai and Vung Tau.

Without strong and drasticactions, the situation will become serious, he warned, adding that new types ofdrugs, especially synthetic ones, are not only smuggled into the country butalso recently produced in Hanoi.

Deputy Minister of PublicSecurity Le Quy Vuong said heroin and synthetic drugs are smuggled in Vietnamfrom abroad, particularly in border areas of the northwestern and north centralregions. Notably, drug trafficking from Laos this year has increased by 4.6times from last year, with more sophisticated tricks.

According to Vuong, the illegaltrading and transport of synthetic drugs, particularly “ice” meth, surged fromlast year, mostly from China, Laos, Cambodia and Western African countries. Atotal of 19,333 drug crimes were discovered during 2016, with more than 31,000suspects arrested.

He also reported that there arenearly 211,000 drug addicts in the country, up 10,600 from 2015. 

Commenting on the cause ofbelow-expectation drug detoxification work, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalidsand Social Affairs Nguyen Trong Dam said many localities are yet to pay dueattention to the work.

In the northern provinces of DienBien, Lai Chau and Nam Dinh, the funding for the work only meets 2-4 percent ofthe 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 KimTien said drug addicts in many localities have been given access to methadonetherapy, fulfilling 63 percent of the target.

She vowed readiness to offermedicines and training to medical staff but local authorities must arrangepersonnel to monitor the effort.

Concluding the event, the PMasked the border and coast guards, and public security forces to increasecrackdowns on drug crimes and give strict sentences to drug ring leaders.

The Ministry of Labour, Invalidsand Social Affairs was required to spread drug rehabilitation models while theHealth Ministry should multiply effective treatment.

He requested localities allocate sufficientfunding for the effort.

The media is responsible forraising public awareness of drug’s danger and competent agencies will recheck drugdetoxification policies./.