Hanoi (VNA) – President VoVan Thuong on June 14 met with 140 role models in the fight against drug crime nationwide and representatives of families of the 28 persons falling down inthe fight.

The meeting in Hanoi took place onthe occasion of the 75th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’sappeal for patriotic emulation (June 11, 1948 - 2023), on the sidelines of a programme held by theMinistry of Public Security (MPS) in honour of the exemplars, and in response to the Action Monthfor Drug Prevention and Control in June.

The MPS reported that each year, the drug police force has coordinated with the border guard,customs, and coast guard forces to uncover more than 23,000 drug crimes, detain over32,000 suspects, and eradicate nearly 1,000 drughotspots. They have also seized a large amount of drugs, weapons, equipment, andassets related to the crimes, and confiscated trillions of VND for the statebudget. 

However, the anti-drug crime forces have also suffered from heavy losses.Twenty-eight police officers, border guards, and civilians laid down theirlives while combating drug crime. Meanwhile, more than 700 officers have gotinjured or exposed to HIV, according to the MPS.

In his speech, President Thuong hailedefforts of the anti-drug crime forces, with the people’s public security force at the core, in this fierce fight.

Their unsung efforts have been recognised and highly valued by the Party, Stateand people, as well as the international community, he said, adding that theFatherland will never forget the merits of those who have laid down their lives in thefight against drug crimes.

The State leader stressed that the combat against drug crimes is an important,difficult, complex, urgent, and also regular task that requires persistence anddrastic actions.

Affirming the Party and State’s viewpoint of no compromise with drug crimes, herequested that ministries and sectors have a better grasp and forecasting ofthe drug crime situation; advise the Party, National Assembly, and Government aboutdirections of the fight in a timely manner; engage the entire politicalsystem and people of all social strata in drug crimes prevention and control, especially inborder areas and at sea; and improve the coordination between domestic andinternational forces so that Vietnam won’t be turned into a drug entrepôt ofthe world.

In particular, it is necessary todevelop a stronger drug police force and encouragepeople’s responsible participation in the combat for the sake of a drug-freesociety, President Thuong added./.