Ky Son no longer replants opium poppies

(Baonghean.vn) - Recently, in the remote district of Ky Son (Nghe An), there has been no more opium replanting. In parallel, the work of inspecting and controlling drug trafficking and transportation across the border has been strengthened, so this field has achieved remarkable results.

After implementing the campaign to eliminate opium poppies, in 1998, Ky Son basically eliminated opium poppy cultivation. However, the fight against drug trafficking and transportation in Ky Son is still difficult, due to the rugged mountainous terrain and difficult transportation. In particular, opium poppies are still being grown on the other side of the border, while Ky Son district is quite large, with a long border of 192 km; the relationship between Ky Son people and people in neighboring Laos is kinship, brotherhood, and relatives... so Ky Son has a very high risk of replanting opium poppies.

Border guards patrol the border

Faced with that situation, Ky Son district has had specific solutions, assigning tasks and responsibilities to each level and sector to actively fight against opium replanting. In 16 communes in the anti-opium replanting area, the district has organized 100% of households to sign a commitment not to replant opium. Functional levels and sectors have conducted 129 inspections in villages on compliance with the commitment not to replant. In addition, 17 cross-inspections were organized between communes and coordinated with border posts to strengthen control of the area and border areas... With the participation of Party committees, authorities and relevant sectors in fighting against opium replanting, there has been no opium replanting in Ky Son.

Along with strengthening the fight against opium trafficking and transportation and opium replanting, in recent times, ethnic people in communes in areas against opium replanting have been supported with capital, techniques, seeds, etc. to transform the structure of crops and livestock. Currently in Ky Son, many highly effective economic models have emerged, such as: The model of fattening buffalo and cows in Muong Long; The model of growing ginger in Na Ngoi, Nam Can; growing peanuts in Bac Ly, etc. Through these models, ethnic people have had stable jobs, income and peace of mind in life.

In order for Ky Son to eradicate opium poppies sustainably, in the coming time, in addition to strengthening inspection, control, and timely handling of drug trafficking, transportation, and opium replanting, ethnic minorities need support from economic and social development programs and projects. There needs to be an appropriate mechanism to attract investment capital and integrate programs, projects, and resources for economic development, poverty reduction, and investment in building technical infrastructure, ensuring favorable conditions for socio-economic development and national defense and security in the area...

Hoang Vinh