Remove Nghe An from the key, complicated drug area of ​​the country

Attending the Conference were Colonel Nguyen The Chi - Deputy Director of the Department of Building the Movement to Protect National Security (Ministry of Public Security). On the side of Nghe An province, there were comrades: Nguyen Van Thong - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Le Hong Vinh - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Major General Pham The Tung - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee; Secretary of the Party Committee, Director of the Provincial Police; leaders of departments, branches, sectors and organizations in the province; comrades Secretaries and Chairmen of the People's Committees of Anh Son, Thanh Chuong, Tuong Duong, Con Cuong, Ky Son, Que Phong districts and 27 border communes of the above districts.

Overview of the conference. Photo: D.C.

Resolutely implement the "supply blocking, demand reducing"

At the Conference, Colonel Nguyen Duc Hai - Deputy Director of the Provincial Police Department briefly reported on the Project to build "Narcotics-free border communes". Accordingly, Nghe An is the province with the largest area in the country, with a 468.3km long border, bordering 3 provinces of the Lao PDR; has 27 border communes in 6 districts; 5 border gates connected to 3 key national highways; geographical location near the "Golden Triangle" area - the world's drug mecca.

In particular, currently 27/27 border communes in the province have drugs, with 11/27 communes being key and complicated drug communes, 16/27 communes having non-key drugs; there are over 700 addicts and suspected addicts; many hotspots, complicated locations, retail locations and suspects related to drug crimes.

In the coming time, forecast the crime situation anddrug abuseDrug trafficking in the province continues to be complicated; the border area is still a key transit area for drugs from Laos into the province. Drug criminals will continue to lure ethnic minorities, especially those in border communes, into committing crimes. In addition, the number of drug addicts and suspected drug addicts in border communes is still high, and the risk of replanting opium poppies is still latent in some remote villages and areas where Mong people live.

Colonel Nguyen Duc Hai - Deputy Director of the Provincial Police Department briefly reported on the Project to build a "Drug-free border commune". Photo: D.C.

In that situation, strictly implementing the direction of the Ministry of Public Security, the Provincial Party Committee, and the Provincial People's Committee on drug prevention and control, considering this a key task, both urgent, regular, continuous and long-term, requiring perseverance, persistence, determination, high determination and close and synchronous coordination of all levels, sectors, and political organizations. In order to fight resolutely and effectively against drug crimes and evils in the province in general and on the Vietnam-Laos border in particular, the Director of Nghe An Provincial Police signed Decision No. 318/QD-CAT-PV01 dated April 7, 2022 on promulgating the Project to build a "Drug-free border commune" in Nghe An province.

The project's viewpoint is to take prevention as the main point, changing the awareness and action of all levels, sectors, political systems and all people in border communes; combining the drastic implementation of "supply blocking, demand reducing", synchronously carrying out professional measures to fight against drug crimes and evils, creating a "shield", a solid drug-free "border belt" to prevent and effectively fight against drug crimes and evils, determined not to let the Nghe An border area become a drug transit area; creating a "green zone" as the first checkpoint, which is of decisive significance to effectively implement the strategic goal of removing Nghe An from the list of key and complicated drug areas of the whole country.

Accordingly, the goal of the Project is to mobilize the combined strength of Party committees, authorities at all levels, the political system and all people in border communes to participate in the work of preventing and combating crimes and drug abuse; synchronously and drastically deploy solutions to fight crimes, eradicate complex locations, drug retail points, strengthen drug rehabilitation, post-rehabilitation management, and community reintegration work, not allowing new complicated situations related to drug-related crimes to arise; determined to strive to build 27 drug-free border communes in 2022 and maintain and improve one step further in the following years.

The scope of the Project implementation is deployed in 27 border communes in 6 border districts including: Anh Son, Thanh Chuong, Tuong Duong, Con Cuong, Ky Son, Que Phong. The Project is implemented from April 15, 2022 to the end of 2022, divided into 3 phases. At the end of 2022, summarize the implementation of the Project and continue to maintain the results of drug cleaning in 27 border communes, and at the same time research and replicate it in other areas across the province.

Industries and organizations at all levels join forces with the police force.

At the conference, the Public Security of various units and localities presented many papers, thereby making a more comprehensive and specific assessment of the necessity of implementing the Project.

Police from various units and localities presented many papers. Photo: D.C.

Speaking at the conference, comrade Nguyen Van Thong said that the Provincial Police's development and implementation of the project to build a "Narcotics-free border commune" is a practical policy and in line with the direction of the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial People's Committee. The goal of the project to remove Nghe An from the country's key and complicated drug-related areas is a clear viewpoint and goal, demonstrating the fierce spirit and high determination of the entire force.

Comrade Nguyen Van Thong - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee spoke at the conference. Photo: D.C

Accordingly, based on the tasks and solutions proposed in the project, he noted that immediately after this conference, the Party committees, authorities, and forces in the 27 border communes need to immediately implement the project contents. Party committees and authorities in border districts must pay special attention to leadership and direction, giving priority to strengthening the implementation of hunger eradication and poverty reduction policies, creating conditions for production development, supporting capital, breeding animals, etc., especially for vulnerable groups, groups at risk of crime, addiction and relapse in border communes. At the same time, direct sectors and organizations at all levels to join forces with the police force to implement solutions to prevent and combat crime and drug abuse in border communes. In addition, based on the actual situation, there is a mechanism to prioritize resource support for the police force in drug prevention and combat.

For the Party Committees and authorities of 27 border communes, it is required to continue to closely follow and grasp the local situation and prioritize leadership and direction of drug prevention and control work, accompany and coordinate with the police force in the process of implementing tasks in the locality. It is necessary to strengthen the direction of organizations, unions, villages, hamlets and villages to join in, create a real and exciting atmosphere, change people's awareness and actions in drug prevention and control work in the locality; actively support and help the police force at all levels in the process of implementing the project.

On the side of the provincial leaders, we will continue to pay attention, create favorable conditions and further strengthen leadership and direction to mobilize sectors at all levels to coordinate with comrades to carry out the task of ensuring security and order in general, and implementing the Project in particular. At the same time, we will research, consider and mobilize appropriate resources to support and create the most favorable conditions in the process of implementing the project.

Major General Pham The Tung - Party Secretary, Director of the Provincial Police Department emphasized a number of key tasks that need to be carried out. Photo: D.C

Concluding the Conference, Major General Pham The Tung - Party Secretary, Director of the Provincial Police Department emphasized a number of key tasks that need to be carried out. Police leaders of units and localities must regularly monitor the situation, stick to the border communes to implement the Project to ensure flexibility, creativity, and suitability to reality. During the implementation of the Project, it is necessary to thoroughly grasp the principle of "prevention is the main thing, "supply blocking, demand reduction" is the key". Regarding the work of "cleaning up" drugs, in addition to continuing to maintain results and experience in detecting, fighting, arresting lines, groups, criminals and sweeping and eliminating points and hotspots,drug retail outletsin the area. Special attention must be paid to the coordination of drug rehabilitation and post-rehabilitation management with the motto "cleaning the area must "clean" the addicts and suspected addicts in the area"...

The Provincial Police Director also requested the Police of units and localities to further strengthen their close and harmonious coordination with other forces... In particular, it is necessary to attach great importance to and seek the support and assistance of organizations, unions, local authorities and the people, especially prestigious people in border communes. The synchronous and effective implementation of the above measures and solutions will contribute to ensuring the sustainable effectiveness of the Project; at the same time, maintaining and improving the effectiveness in the following years.

Major General Pham The Tung - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Party Secretary, Director of the Provincial Police Department, handed over the decision to mobilize and strengthen 132 officers and soldiers to take up duties in 27 communes. Photo: D.C

Handing over 27 trucks to the police of 27 border communes to implement the project. Photo: D.C.

Delegates take souvenir photos at the vehicle handover ceremony. Photo: D.C.

On this occasion, the Provincial Police organized the handover of 27 trucks to the police of 27 border communes to implement the project, along with mobilizing and strengthening 132 officers and soldiers to take up tasks in 27 communes.