5,045 patients in Nghe An have been treated with Methadone.
That was the information given at the conference to review and evaluate the results of implementing the treatment of opioid addiction with replacement drugs in the 2021-2025 period in the province, organized by the Nghe An Department of Health on the afternoon of August 13.
Attending the conference were representatives of the leaders of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Nghe An province, the Provincial Police, the Border Guard Command - Provincial Military Command, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Department of Education and Training, the Department of Justice and the Department of Health of Nghe An.
Information from Nghe An Department of Health: It is estimated that the whole province has more than 10,000 drug addicts. New drug addicts in the province tend to be younger...
As of June 30, 2025, Nghe An has detected 11,090 people infected with HIV; of which 4,698 people infected with HIV/AIDS have died; the number of people infected with HIV who are still living and being managed is 6,392 people.
In order to effectively prevent and combat HIV/AIDS and drug abuse, on November 29, 2021, the People's Committee of Nghe An province issued Plan No. 714/KH-UBND on substitution treatment for opioid addiction with replacement drugs for the period 2021-2025.
To implement the plan, Party committees at all levels, authorities, departments, branches, and socio-political organizations in the province have focused on leading, directing, and implementing many solutions and coordinating in the implementation of drug addiction treatment activities using replacement drugs.
Accordingly, as of June 30, 2025, the whole province has established 11 Methadone treatment facilities and 17 drug dispensing points.Methadone. Accumulated to have 5,351patientregistered with 5,045 patients treated with Methadone. At present, the facilities are treating 992 patients.
The treatment of opioid addiction with substitution drugs in the period 2021-2025 has achieved many good results: 100% of patients gained weight in the first 3 months of treatment. The frequency of opioid use decreased significantly after 3 weeks of treatment.
After 36 months of treatment, the rate of patients with illegal behaviors decreased from 47.5% to only 4.1%; conflicts within family and friends decreased from 44% to 3%; unemployment decreased from 30.4% to 6.9%; and the rate of injecting heroin use decreased from 94.4% at the beginning of treatment to 0%.
Promoting the achievements, in the coming time, Nghe An will continue to maintain the operation of 11 treatment facilities, 17 drug distribution facilities; strengthen the role and effectiveness of leadership and direction of Party committees and authorities at all levels, the coordination of departments, branches, sectors and socio-political organizations in implementing alternative treatment; strengthen the work of screening, detecting and managing drug addicts in localities; promote the role and responsibility of families to support patients to comply with treatment procedures, and provide psychological support for reintegration into the community.
At the conference, delegates listened to many presentations on effective ways to treat opioid addiction with alternative medicine...
On this occasion, Nghe An Department of Health also awarded Certificates of Merit to 5 collectives and 15 individuals with outstanding achievements in the treatment of opioid addiction with replacement drugs in the period 2021-2025.
