Need to improve detection, investigation and prosecution of drug and prostitution crimes

On the morning of October 26, the Provincial People's Committee held a conference to summarize 5 years of implementing the program on prostitution prevention and control; drug addiction treatment and post-treatment management for the period 2016 - 2020 in Nghe An province.

Overview of the conference. Photo: Thanh Nga

Comrade Bui Dinh Long - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee chaired the conference. Co-chairs were Mr. Doan Hong Vu - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Comrade Nguyen Manh Hung - Deputy Director of the Provincial Police. Attending the conference were representatives of relevant sectors and local units in the province.

Prostitution is still complicated

Over the past 5 years,Propaganda work on prostitution prevention and control has been carried out through many forms, with innovative content, suitable to the actual situation; the viewpoint on prostitution prevention and control has been supported by most sectors, levels and people.

All levels and sectors have closely and effectively coordinated in organizing the prevention and combat of prostitution. The authorities have made active efforts in inspection, supervision, and review of the situation; the work of fighting and destroying cases and gangs,prostitutionand increased inspection and examination of service establishments prone to prostitution have contributed to curbing the increase in prostitution locations and venues.

Authorities in Dien Chau district have launched a campaign to eliminate a prostitution ring in Dien Thanh commune. This is one of the prostitution rings that has existed for many years, causing many consequences for society. Photo: Quang An

However, the situation of prostitution in some areas and service units sometimes has the potential to become complicated. Meanwhile, some local authorities in border areas have not managed well the work of preventing and combating prostitution, sometimes showing signs of indecisiveness in handling the situation. Therefore,prostitutionAlthough not openly becoming a hot spot, it is still complicated, sophisticated and difficult to control; sex workers are increasingly getting younger; prostitution activities are increasingly transformed and through information technology systems.

The main areas with complicated prostitution are: Vinh City, Cua Lo Town; Dien Thanh Beach, Hon Cau (Dien Hai Commune) in Dien Chau District; Quynh Vien Commune (Quynh Luu District)... and is developing towards the border areas of districts of Ha Tinh and Thanh Hoa provinces and industrial parks and large construction projects.

Currently, according to statistics from functional sectors in the province, there are more than 1,375 service establishments with security and order conditions (including 138 establishments suspected of prostitution) with 3,927 service staff; 09 complicated prostitution venues, about 200 people suspected of prostitution, 137/460 communes, wards and towns have prostitution.

Many good practices in drug addiction management and post-rehab

Nghe An is one of thekey, complicated drug areas. Currently, in the province, there are 6,952 drug addicts with management records; 21/21 districts, cities, towns and 388/460 communes, wards and towns have drug addicts, of which 71 communes, wards and towns are key drug areas. Recently, the number of people using opium and heroin has decreased, the use of synthetic drugs and methamphetamine has increased, drug addicts are getting younger and younger; the ratedrug addictssuccess is still low.

The Provincial People's Council's monitoring delegation learned directly from the students about drug addiction treatment as well as ensuring living conditions at the Compulsory Drug Rehabilitation Center No. 1 in Nghe An. Photo courtesy of Mai Hoa

However, in recent times, Party committees, authorities, departments, and branches have coordinated regularly with many synchronous solutions, so drug addiction treatment and post-treatment management have had many new changes; as a result, the effectiveness of drug addiction treatment has been improved. "There have been a number of drug addicts who have successfully treated themselves, have jobs, income, stabilized their lives, helped others after drug addiction treatment to have jobs... contributing significantly to curbing the increase in drug addicts, limiting the harmful effects of drug abuse and drug addiction on the community and society. From 2016 to now, drug addiction treatment targets have all met and exceeded the assigned plan", said Mr. Doan Hong Vu - Director of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.

Also according to the report at the conference, in the past 5 years, the whole province has organized the construction and implementation of a number of drug addiction treatment and post-treatment management models in the province and achieved important results such as: Drug addiction treatment and post-treatment management model at the place of residence, Military-Civilian-Medical model for drug addiction treatment.and solving social problems after drug addiction treatment for drug addicts in border communes (2016-2018), the model of Community Drug Addiction Support Point and the model of Voluntary Drug Addiction Treatment Center. Through that, good and creative ways of doing drug addiction treatment and post-treatment management have been formed; successful drug addiction treatment models have been built.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Bui Dinh Long concluded at the conference. Photo: Thanh Nga

Concluding the conference, Comrade Bui Dinh Long praised the achievements in the work of preventing and combating prostitution and post-rehabilitation drug treatment at all levels and localities. However, 2/7 targets in drug treatment and post-rehabilitation drug treatment have not been achieved. These are vocational training and post-rehabilitation management.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Bui Dinh Long requested: In the coming time, all levels, sectors and localities need to strengthen propaganda work on preventing and combating social evils in a synchronous and diversified manner, with appropriate content and forms of propaganda to suit local conditions and awareness of each target, region and residential area; pay attention to building and replicating typical advanced models in preventing and combating social evils.

Awarding Certificates of Merit to groups with outstanding achievements in work. Photo: Thanh Nga

On this occasion, the Provincial People's Committee awarded Certificates of Merit to 20 individuals and 20 groups with outstanding achievements in their work. Photo: Thanh Nga

Focus on directing, mobilizing forces, synchronously implementing measures, enhancing and improving the effectiveness of detecting, investigating, prosecuting and trying crimes related to drugs and prostitution.

The provincial police and border guards need to continue to launch high-profile campaigns to attack and crack down on drug and prostitution rings and criminals; step up prevention, detection and suppression of violations of the law related to drugs and prostitution.

The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested: In the coming time, units need to focus on effectively implementing drug rehabilitation, vocational training and job creation for people after drug rehabilitation; gradually reduce the rate of relapse, increase the number of people who have successfully rehabilitated and reintegrated into the community sustainably. In addition, it is necessary to increase propaganda to eliminate prostitution hotspots. "How to make both buyers and sellers of sex afraid and not dare to enter "this path"", the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee expressed his opinion.