Under a draft plan on post-detoxification management approved by the government in 2003, Ho Chi Minh City has spent more than US$87.5 million building 20 detoxification centres  and mobilised VND517 billion from businesses and individuals to set up production establishments at detoxification centres to create more jobs for those who have undergone treatment.

The city-based regular education centres have so far provided training for 2,500 former drug addicts. Particularly, some of those centres have cooperated with universities to help former drug addicts participate in distance learning programmes.

Apart from providing financial support, the municipal authorities have also paid attention to organising cultural exchanges, music and sports events for former drug addicts and their local peers, creating opportunities for them to integrate into the community.

As many as 30,800 drug addicts in HCM City have been undergoing detoxification treatment. More than 1,530 people of them have enjoyed full integration into the community and the number is expected to increase to 9,100 by the year-end.

The government, based on initial achievements gained by HCM City, has approved to expand this model project to the southern provinces of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Tay Ninh, Long An, the northern province of Quang Ninh, and Hanoi.