PM Nguyen Tan Dung tasks his inferiors to handle weak management of drug addiction, Ha Noi, November 3, 2014 – Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The Government chief made the point on November 3 in Ha Noi while chairing a meeting on drug addiction management.

According to PM Dung, the Party, State and local authorities have made great efforts and long-term resource investments in stamping out drug addiction, however, the number of drug addicts was on the rise and treatment of drug abuse remained inefficient.

He tasked ministries and agencies to take drastic measures to implement the Government’s directions on drug rehabilitation and management; rashly issue guiding documents; strictly control the number of drug addicts, and accelerate the dissemination of anti-drug abuse.

Localities were asked to convert compulsory drug rehabilitation centers to voluntary ones and improve management of drug addicts in the community.

According to a report by the Ministry of Public Security, 90%of districts and around 70% of wards and communes have dealt with drug abuse.  

The country currently has 10 localities having drug abuse and HIV/AIDS hotspots with Ha Noi , Ho Chi Minh City and northern Son La province recording the highest number of drug addicts and HIV/AIDS cases.

Ministries and localities also reported major difficulties in implementing drug detoxification programs, including the unsystematic legal framework, a lack of investment and personnel, and poor coordination between ministries and localities./.

By Kim Loan