Addressing a ceremony to respond to a national anti-drug action programme in schools on June 19, Mr Trong noted that students must be aware of the scourge of drug addiction and the threat it poses to society and how it can lead to family break-ups.

He quoted statistics saying by the end of 2009 Vietnam had more than 146,000 drug addicts, of whom 70 percent were young people. About 60 percent of the new HIV cases were associated with drug addiction, and around 80 out of 160 HIV/AIDS cases were aged between 20-29.

The Deputy PM asked the Youth Union and student organisations to work closely with schools, diversify activities and replicate anti-drug models amongst students. He said schools should collaborate closely with local Party organisations, administrations and anti-drug forces to prevent drugs from penetrating schools.

Currently, Vietnam has more than 20 million students, making up one fourth of the country’s total population, and who are the most vulnerable to drug addiction.