Drug, prostitution-free localities on the rise

HCM City (VNA) – The number of drug and prostitution-free communes, wards and towns have been increased in recent years after the 10-year implementation of the resolution on regulations and guidelines on building communes, wards and towns with healthy lifestyle.

A report by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), which was released during a conference in Hanoi on November 10 to review 10 years of carrying out the resolution, showed that 2,818 communes and nationwide have no drug abuse.

Meanwhile, 8,659 communes and wards have eradicated prostitution, and 3,556 communes, wards and towns successfully eliminate drug and prostitution, said the report.

Many measures have been applied in localities, along with various good models, including self-management models.

So far, 40 provinces and cities have coordinated with local sectors, unions and social organisations in conducting communications and preventive education on drug, prostitution and HIV/AIDS prevention and control, while supporting drug addicts as well as rehabilitated addicts and prostitutes to access health care services and integrate into the community.

According to Le Minh Tan, Director of Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the city has built and run 122 self-management models in maintaining social security and order.

After 10 years of realising the resolution, the city has 213 communes free from social evils, while the number of hot spots has been reduced to 12 communes and wards, he noted.

MOLISA Deputy Minister Nguyen Trong Dam urged localities to review their performance in the work during the past 10 years, while working harder to reduce hot spots of drug and prostitution.

He also asked localities to continue multiplying the models of communes and wards with healthy lifestyle as well as other social services for prostitute and assist drug addicts in community-based detoxification.-VNA