A photo exhibition on drug danger (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – A conference on drug harms and deterrence took place in Hanoi on June 14 with a focus on rehabilitation activities.
Discussion revolved around a range of issues, such as measures to rehabilitate drug addicts, including community-based treatment, and effective public communications campaigns.
Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) Nguyen Trong Dam stressed that the number of drug users in Vietnam is on the rise, which is likely to disturb security and social development.
The number amounts to about 210,000 people nationwide; most of them are under 35 and about 8 percent are adolescents.
While the success of rehabilitation relies largely on the addicts themselves, the aid from families and communities is also important, Dam noted.
Head of the MoLISA Social Evils Prevention Department Nguyen Xuan Lap said society need a change in perception about drug users, as well as in the approach to help addicts wean their addiction.
Khuat Thi Hai Oanh, Executive Director of the Centre for Supporting Community Development Initiatives (SCDI), said effective rehabilitation need the involvement of the entire community.
She stressed the importance of preventative measures and capacity of medical staff.
At the conference, Tran Quoc Thong, a representative from the Khanh Hoa Social Evils Prevention Department, introduced the local model of voluntary drug detoxification, adding that a consultation network is key to the programme.
According to him, the local network have supported 389 drug users and helped 36 addicts successfully cut the habit.-VNA
VNA
