Nghe An: Drug addiction treatment for over 1,300 people

(Baonghean.vn) - On the afternoon of March 17, the National Committee for AIDS, Drug and Prostitution Prevention and Control held a national online conference to deploy tasks for 2016.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam - Chairman of the National Committee for AIDS, Drug and Prostitution Prevention and Control chaired.

On the side of Nghe An bridge, attending were comrade Le Minh Thong - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and representatives of leaders of relevant departments, branches and sectors.

Panoramic view of Nghe An bridge.

The report of the National Committee for AIDS and Drug Prevention and Control stated: Over the past year, the crime and drug situation in our country has been controlled but is still complicated. The trafficking and transportation of synthetic drugs is increasing.

Prostitution has not decreased, but has increased in some places, and its disguised activities are very difficult to handle; Crimes related to prostitution are on the rise and difficult to control. Notably, prostitution is concentrated mainly in service establishments with conditions, tourist areas, and prostitution venues have reappeared in public places, on the streets, through the internet, and sex tourism. Male prostitution, homosexual prostitution, and foreign prostitution have increased.

On the side of Nghe An province, in 2015, 12 major drug trafficking rings were fought and destroyed, 905 cases were arrested, 1,132 subjects were arrested for illegal drug trafficking, 12.22 kg of heroin and 18,631 synthetic drug pills were seized; 64 cases were discovered and arrested, 124 subjects were arrested for illegal drug use; 61 cases were arrested, 182 subjects were arrested for prostitution.

Prostitution hotspots and subjects discovered by authorities in Nghe An.

The province has organized drug rehabilitation for 1,325 drug addicts. 6 methadone treatment facilities have initially operated effectively, with 1,100 patients addicted to opioids being treated with methadone.

At the conference, a number of localities presented papers to discuss difficulties and problems in Methadone treatment; experiences and results in implementing the Project on innovation in drug addiction treatment; experiences in developing and submitting for approval the Financial Guarantee Plan for the HIV/AIDS prevention and control program until 2020...

Staff of Ky Son Military and Civilian Medical Clinic advise on Methadone treatment for drug addicts.

Concluding the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam highly appreciated the results that ministries, branches and localities have achieved in the work of preventing and combating AIDS, drug abuse and prostitution. Notably, 2015 was the first year in over 20 years that the number of drug addicts did not increase but decreased by 3,190 people.

To create positive changes in the work of preventing AIDS, drugs and prostitution, the Deputy Prime Minister requested to focus on solving complicated drug hotspots; quickly and effectively transform the model of drug rehabilitation centers; strengthen methadone treatment activities; strictly manage sensitive business forms... For some policies, if shortcomings are revealed in implementation, ministries, branches and localities need to propose documents and advise on appropriate adjustments.

Thanh Son