Warning about drug use among young people in Nghe An

All-night "dance" sessions

On the early morning of October 21, 2020, the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department coordinated with the Mobile Police Department and Vinh City Police to conduct an administrative inspection of Viktor Bar (in Truong Thi Ward, Vinh City) and discovered nearly 100 people gathering to drink alcohol, beer, and play music at high volume, some of whom were suspicious.illegal drug use

At the scene, the police discovered and seized under the floor a plastic bag containing marijuana, a package of crystal meth, a pink pill, and a N20 gas cylinder to pump into the tank.laughing gas", 3 cases of foreign wine of unknown origin. Initial rapid test results showed that 15 subjects tested positive for drugs, including 8 men and 7 women.

Laughing gas cylinders were seized at Viktor bar on October 21, 2020. Photo courtesy of Vuong Linh

Previously, at 1:15 a.m. on October 15, 2020, the Drug Crime Investigation Police Team (Vinh City Police) suddenly raided a hotel room, discovered and caught 4 subjects, young people aged 16-18, all residing in Vinh City, for organizing illegal drug use. At the scene, 2 packages of ketamine, weighing 2.015g, 1 set of drug use tools, and 1 loudspeaker were seized.

Four teenagers illegally used drugs in a hotel in Cua Nam ward, Vinh city. Photo: Duc Vu

Another incident, at 2:00 a.m. on March 10, 2020, during the inspection of conditional business activities in Nghi Phu commune (Vinh city), the Administrative Police Team for Social Order, Vinh City Police discovered in a karaoke room of a business establishmentkaraokeThere were 10 subjects, young people aged 20-25, who were together illegally storing and using drugs. Evidence seized at the scene included: 1 package of 6 synthetic drug pills, 3 packages of crystal meth, 2 packages of ketamine and some other related evidence.

At the police station, the suspects confessed that the ringleader was Nguyen Van Quynh (born in 1995), residing in Nghi Kim commune (Vinh city). To celebrate his birthday, Quynh pawned his motorbike for 8 million VND to buy drugs to invite 9 other suspects with criminal records from communes on the outskirts of Vinh city to a karaoke bar to celebrate his birthday.

10 young men used drugs in a karaoke room in Nghi Phu commune, Vinh city and the evidence was temporarily seized. Photo courtesy of Hong Quang

Not only in the city area but also in districts and towns, especially in the center and tourist destinations... the authorities have also discovered many cases of young people gathering to use drugs in groups; there are also people from other localities gathering to use drugs collectively in the province.

Typically, at 3:00 a.m. on June 9, 2020, the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department, Nghe An Police, inspected room 5003 at Anphaan Hotel (Vinh City), discovered 12 male subjects showing signs of being "high" on drugs, seized 4 grams of ketamine, 4.5 "ecstasy" pills, 2 cigarettes rolled with cannabis leaves and many tools that the subjects confessed to using to illegally use drugs.

At the time of discovery, many subjects in the room were still high on drugs, lying on the floor and seemingly unaware of the presence of the authorities. Through a quick test, the 12 subjects above all tested positive for drugs. This group of people all have permanent residence in Hanoi and Yen Bai.

12 male subjects showing signs of being "high" on drugs at a hotel in Vinh city. Photo courtesy

In another incident, at 1:00 a.m. on October 23, 2020, at a hotel room in Cua Lo town, the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department, Nghe An Police conducted an administrative inspection and discovered 12 people (including 5 men, 7 women), aged 20 - 36, residing in Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces, showing signs of illegal drug use. At the scene, the police seized 1 ceramic plate, 1 flashlight and 1 Bluetooth speaker. Through rapid testing, all tested positive for drugs.

The common point of the above cases is: There are many participants at a very young age; often gathering in groups at motels, bars, karaoke bars under the name of organizing birthday parties, festivals to party, have fun all night, all day and use drugs to "go crazy", "fly". Among them, some are "party people", follow the trend, like to enjoy, are bored with studying, like to seek strong sensations; some are curious, impulsive, love to have fun, are drawn in and cannot control themselves, some are unaware or have insufficient awareness of the harmful effects of using drugs, especially some types of nerve stimulants, hallucinogens such as laughing gas, American weed... Besides, the business activities of conditional business establishments such as bars, karaoke bars...) still have many potential complications, for profit, many owners are lax in management, even "aid" the law violations of young people.

The situation of young people gathering to use drugs in groups is increasing and becoming more complicated, not only affecting social order and safety but also causing public concern about the unhealthy lifestyle of a segment of young people today.

The crime of “Illegal use of narcotics” is stipulated in Article 225 of the 2015 Penal Code, amended and supplemented in 2017: A person who organizes the illegal use of narcotics in any form shall be sentenced to imprisonment from 2 to 7 years; if the crime is committed 2 times or more; organizes the use of 2 or more people or organizes the use of people from 13 to under 18 years old... shall be sentenced to imprisonment from 7 to 15 years. The highest penalty for this type of crime can be up to 20 years in prison or life imprisonment if it causes harm to the health of 2 or more people with a bodily injury rate of 61% or more for each person or causes the death of 2 or more people.

Offenders may also be fined from VND 50,000,000 to VND 500,000,000, placed on probation, banned from residence from 1 to 5 years, or have part or all of their property confiscated.

Fiercely fight and prevent

In recent times, the Provincial Police have focused on directing the synchronous and drastic implementation of many solutions to prevent and combat drugs, achieving many outstanding results. From the beginning of 2020 to now, the police forces at all levels have detected and arrested 1,076 cases, 1,467 subjects of illegal possession, trading, and transportation of drugs, confiscating 250 kg of drugs of all kinds (compared to the same period in 2019, an increase of 87 cases, an increase of 248 subjects); arrested and handled 329 cases, 520 subjects illegally using drugs.

Drug users were discovered by authorities at a karaoke bar on Tran Huy Lieu Street, Hung Phuc Ward, Vinh City. Photo courtesy of Duc Vu

Particularly regarding the situation of gathering to use drugs in karaoke bars, restaurants, hotels among young people... The Provincial Police said that they have directed the Police of units and localities to focus on implementing very drastically. From the beginning of 2020 up to now, the Provincial Police have discovered, arrested, and handled 33 cases, 255 young people organizing and illegally using drugs in dance clubs, hotels, karaoke...

At the same time, the functional forces also closely coordinate with authorities at all levels to strengthen inspection and supervision of conditional business establishments (karaoke, hotels, etc.), requiring business owners to sign a commitment not to allow drug use to occur; strictly handle violations. In addition, the Provincial Police continue to promote coordination with functional agencies and local authorities to resolutely implement drug addiction treatment. Since the beginning of 2020, they have coordinated to compile records to send 641 cases to drug addiction treatment centers, and 321 cases to community drug addiction treatment, contributing to cleaning up the area, limiting the causes and conditions for crime and drug abuse.

Quynh Luu District Police caught subjects illegally using drugs in a Karaoke room. Photo courtesy of Hong Dien

Responding to voters' petitions before and after the 9th session of the 14th National Assembly, regarding the situation of drug use among young people in groups, gathering in karaoke bars, restaurants, hotels... in the province, the Provincial People's Committee affirmed: In the coming time, it will continue to direct the Provincial Police to urge the Police of units and localities to synchronously and drastically deploy many measures to prevent and combat crimes and drug abuse, contributing to maintaining security and order in the area.

On October 6, 2020, the People's Committee of Nghe An province issued Document No. 6902/UBND-NC on strengthening the management and fight against drug-related crimes in conditional business establishments. It emphasized that "It is alarming that young people gather to illegally use drugs and laughing gas in service establishments such as karaoke, hotels, etc. This is an active and sensitive age group. If not prevented in time, it will cause serious consequences for society and be the cause of all kinds of crimes, negatively affecting social order and safety."

Police forces work with 12 subjects who tested positive for drugs in a hotel in Cua Lo town. Photo courtesy of Duc Vu

In addition to promoting propaganda and dissemination of laws, the Provincial People's Committee requested functional branches, districts, cities and towns to establish interdisciplinary inspection teams at all levels to promptly inspect and handle violations of accommodation service businesses and bars and pubs that show signs of suspicion related to drug crimes, illegal storage and use of laughing gas.

However, reality shows that to prevent and stop the situation of young people gathering to illegally use drugs in groups requires not only the participation of authorities at all levels and functional forces, but also the cooperation of the entire political system, especially the close coordination between schools, families and organizations such as the Youth Union, Student Association, etc. in managing and educating young people. The most important thing is that young people themselves must raise their awareness, train their courage to overcome temptations and say "no" to unhealthy entertainment.