Losing youth in the 'vicious cycle' of drugs.

From drug addict to drug criminal

The trial of defendant Ha Van Duong (30 years old), residing in Chau Hoan commune, Quy Chau district, for the crime of "illegally possessing narcotics" took place on a day in early April 2025. In the late winter chill, Duong sat huddled in the large courtroom. Besides his biological parents, Duong also had adoptive parents and many siblings. But on the day of the trial, not a single relative came to visit Duong.

When asked about his situation, he sadly stated that since his arrest, few relatives had visited him. Therefore, the longing for his family and parents was always present. The defendant didn't understand why no one had come to court today. "Maybe everyone is still angry with me," Đường mumbled, as if trying to comfort himself.

Ha Van Duong was the youngest of three siblings. Coming from a poor family, he only dabbled in education for a few years before giving up. Without formal education or a trade, mountain dwellers like Duong only knew how to work in the forest, collecting acacia wood, earning a few tens to a hundred thousand dong a day, with food provided by his employer.

Having started life early, lacking self-control and driven by a desire for a better life, Ha Van Duong became addicted to drugs. Knowing Duong's addiction, his relatives tried everything to persuade him to quit, even going to great lengths to help him break free from this deadly hallucinogenic drug. However, old habits die hard; after a few days of abstinence, he would become agitated again, seeking any means to earn money to buy drugs.

Due to his addiction, Duong found it difficult to find a stable job like his peers. He squandered all his hard-earned money on drugs. That deadly substance could turn a wealthy person into a beggar, let alone a poor young man like Duong.

When he lacked the money to satisfy his addiction, Ha Van Duong resorted to the risky business of illegally trading drugs. He was caught in the act, and in 2017, he was sentenced to two years in prison for "illegally trading narcotics."

After serving his prison sentence, Duong returned to his hometown. But those years living in prison hadn't truly broken his addiction. The lure of money, combined with the intoxicating allure of drugs, once again crushed his resolve to "break with the past and start a new life." This time, he bought a large quantity of drugs to fuel his increasingly frequent drug use.

According to the indictment, on the afternoon of November 21, 2024, Ha Van Duong hitched a ride with a passerby to Quang Phong commune, Que Phong district. Afterward, he walked along a trail into the forest where he met an unidentified man. Duong proposed buying 14 million dong worth of drugs. They agreed on a transaction involving 5 packets of methamphetamine (priced at 10 million dong) and 4 million dong worth of heroin. Because it was late at night, Duong stayed in the forest.

The following morning, Duong walked from the forest area down to the road to catch a ride home when he was arrested by the police. At this time, Duong voluntarily took the drugs out of his jacket pocket and handed them over to the police. The investigating agency determined that Ha Van Duong was criminally liable for possessing over 100 grams of drugs.

Burying one's youth in prison.

Before the witness stand, defendant Ha Van Duong sincerely admitted his criminal act. He stated that his purpose in buying drugs was to stockpile them for personal use, not to sell them. Regarding the money used to buy the drugs, Duong stated that he earned 200,000 VND per day working as a laborer loading acacia trees.

"People strive to work hard, earn money to secure their future, develop themselves, and take care of their families, but the defendant took all the money to buy drugs. What do you think about that?" In response to the judge's question, Duong mumbled an explanation, claiming it was due to his long-standing drug addiction. His dissolute lifestyle had made him a slave to drugs for many years.

The judge continued questioning: "Did you ever think about quitting your addiction to start a new life?" Duong replied that he had. However, after being released from prison, he was lured back to drugs whenever he felt sad or tired. He continued this cycle of drug use. Now, at the age of 30, his only "achievements" are months spent immersed in drug use and imprisonment.

During his second court appearance, defendant Ha Van Duong occasionally expressed regret for his mistakes. He regretted wasting his youth and squandering his health and money on drugs. He also felt remorse and guilt towards his family, especially his elderly parents, for his repeated wrongdoings. At the trial, he did not forget to apologize to his family and relatives, even though none of them were present.

Through the trial, the panel of judges also reminded everyone, especially young people, to always be vigilant against drugs. Don't try them for a moment of fun or the temptation to prove yourself, even just once. Because the harmful effects of drugs are very dangerous; they cause users to become delirious, lose their minds, and even commit crimes like the defendant.

Before the judges retired to deliberate, Ha Van Duong was given the opportunity to speak his final words. After a moment of silence, the defendant only uttered one sentence: "I don't know what to say." Only when prompted did Duong ask the judges to consider mitigating his sentence so that he could have the chance to return home to his family and rebuild his life.

However, the law shows no lenience towards any crime. The defendant's actions constituted a serious violation of the law, posing a danger to society, and drugs are the root of many other crimes. Therefore, strict punishment is necessary. The court sentenced the defendant, Ha Van Duong, to 16 years in prison. Regarding the drug dealer, due to the undetermined identity, the investigating agency lacked sufficient grounds to prosecute.

That sentence serves as a warning to those who disregard the law and engage in drug-related crimes. Drugs not only rob people of their future but also lead them to irreversible consequences. No profit can compensate for the price of freedom...