The event is also Vietnam’s response to the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (June 26).
This year’s action month aims at intensifying drug prevention, control and detoxification, urging more attention to and less discrimination against drug addicts, and encouraging the community to support drug addicts in rehabilitation and integration.
In his opening speech, Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung said the drug situation remains complicated, noting that there are more than 210,000 drug users nationwide, over 70 percent of whom are under 35 years old and 35 percent have previous convictions and offences.
Drug production and trafficking are increasing, and the use of synthetic drugs is surging among young people, he added.
Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh said one of the causes behind the drug problems is the inconsistent viewpoints and low awareness of authorities and people on drug abuse and detoxification. The incomplete legal system and relevant mechanisms and policies for the work also hinder the drug fight, while communication activities have not achieved desired effectiveness.
He added that the mobilisation of domestic and foreign resources for the drug fight failed to meet demand.
The Deputy PM requested ministries and sectors to fine-tune relevant mechanisms and policies, and enhance educational campaigns to raise public awareness and encourage people to denounce drug crime. Meanwhile, grassroots authorities need to help drug users to rehabilitate and integrate into the society.
He also called on businesses, organisations and religious followers to support drug combat efforts and provide jobs for rehabilitated persons.
After the ceremony, hundreds of officials and civil servants of Bac Giang province took part in a parade to convey the messages of the Action Month for Drug Prevention and Control and the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
