A New-Year meeting with Embassies and International organisations which funded drug control activities in Vietnam was held in Hanoi on January 18 by the Ministry of Public Security- a permanent drug control agency under the National Committee for HIV/ AIDS, Drug and Prostitution Control and Prevention.

The meeting hosted by Deputy Minister of Public Security’s senior lieutenant-general Le The Tiem aimed to praise the international community’s practical contributions and effective support for Vietnam’s drug control activities and the strengthening of cooperation regarding drug control between the Vietnamese Government, regional countries and international organisations in the 2006-2010 period.

Over the past years, the Vietnamese Government has spared no effort in the uncompromising fight against drugs. Since the Law on Drug Control was issued and action programmes on drug control took effective, Vietnam has made certain progress in drug control activities. Annually, Vietnamese drug control agencies detect nearly 10,000 drug-related cases, breaking up hundreds of trans-national organisations and rings involved in drug trafficking and transport. Meanwhile, the country has made great strides in removing the opium poppy and improving living conditions for people living in opium poppy growing areas by launching programmes on socio-economic development and poverty reduction. In addition, the country has obtained initial positive results in drug control detoxification by helping tens of thousands of people reduce their addictions and give up drugs in order to rehabilitate themselves.

During the past five years, a total amount of US$4.5 million has been disbursed for seven national projects and 12 regional projects. These projects are aimed at raising the executive capacity of drug control activities, providing technical assistance, replacing trees having narcotic substances and disseminating information about drug control and detoxification.

Under the projects and bilateral agreements, hundreds of Vietnamese officials are sent abroad for training every year and Vietnamese relevant organisations also received facilities and equipment for fighting drug-related crime. These projects have helped Vietnam learn how to develop modern models that improve the ability to fight drug-related crime. This is an important factor in the successful results of fighting drug-related crime in Vietnam in recent years.

Mr Tiem affirmed the Government and people’s determination to implement the anti-drug mater plan for 2006-2010, and drastic measures to control in society. Vietnam called on foreign countries and international organisations to further aid Vietnam in its drug-control efforts towards the goal of a drug free ASEAN by 2015.

Narumi Yamada, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Chief Representative in Vietnam said Vietnam and the UN have closely co-operated in drug control. Ms Yamada pointed out three strategic tasks for 2007 – strengthening drug crime investigation ability; consolidating the legal framework for preventing and controlling drugs and drug-related crime; improving knowledge of drug and drug-related crime, reducing drug demand through education and raising the quality of drug detoxification services, as well as, understanding of high-risk groups of HIV/AIDS patients.

Ms Yamada appreciated the Vietnamese Government’s efforts in drug control and called upon nations and international organisations to join action for a safe world that is free from drugs, crime and terrorism.