Six inspection delegations will be set up to check AIDS, drugs and prostitution prevention and fight in 11 localities in the country.

The Vietnam Government Portal quoted the National Committee for AIDS, Drugs and Prostitution Prevention and Control as saying that the delegations will also inspect the mobilisation, management and use of resources for this work.

The localities are Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Hung Yen, Thai Binh, Lao Cai, Hau Giang, Soc Trang, Hoa Binh, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

This will be a good opportunity for these localities to propose ways to renovate detoxification and fight against prostitution and cultivation of narcotic plants.

In 2012, competent agencies detected, investigated and addressed more than 21,000 cases involving over 31,000 people. Nearly 692 kg heroin, 225 kg opium, and 1,000 kg cannabis were seized.

They prosecuted 18,687 defendants (up 19 percent in terms of cases and defendants). Of the figure, 194 persons were sentenced to death.

According to preliminary statistics, by the end of 2012, Vietnam had more than 171,000 drug addicts, an increase of 12,900 against the previous year, and about 30,000 prostitutes.-VNA