The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched the World Drug Report 2013 in Hanoi on June 26, which underlines the alarming extent of new psychoactive substances (NPS) use.
At the launching ceremony that marks International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Zhuldyz Akisheva, country manager of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, said on the whole, the global drug use situation has remained stable. However, polydrug use, especially the combination of prescription drug and illicit substances, continues to be a concern, she said.
“The increasing number of NPS appearing on the market has also become a major public health concern, not only because of increasing use but also because of the lack of scientific research and understanding of their adverse effects”, she added.
Zhuldyz Akisheva said that as of late 2012, there have been 172,000 drug users under management in Vietnam with half of them aged 16-29 and 84 percent using heroin.
Also in the reviewed period, half of 272,372 HIV/AIDS-infected people in Vietnam are drug users.
Pratibha Mehta, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, said that drug illicit trafficking blocks the development. This is a transnational crime issue that requires strong law enforcement efforts and harmonious coordination within each country and among countries.
She also noted the increase in drug trafficking through Vietnam’s borders and the abuse of amphetamine-type stimulants among the country’s youth. Therefore, all people should help them learn about potential harms when abusing these substances, she said.
In 2012, Vietnam joined the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children.-VNA
At the launching ceremony that marks International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Zhuldyz Akisheva, country manager of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, said on the whole, the global drug use situation has remained stable. However, polydrug use, especially the combination of prescription drug and illicit substances, continues to be a concern, she said.
“The increasing number of NPS appearing on the market has also become a major public health concern, not only because of increasing use but also because of the lack of scientific research and understanding of their adverse effects”, she added.
Zhuldyz Akisheva said that as of late 2012, there have been 172,000 drug users under management in Vietnam with half of them aged 16-29 and 84 percent using heroin.
Also in the reviewed period, half of 272,372 HIV/AIDS-infected people in Vietnam are drug users.
Pratibha Mehta, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, said that drug illicit trafficking blocks the development. This is a transnational crime issue that requires strong law enforcement efforts and harmonious coordination within each country and among countries.
She also noted the increase in drug trafficking through Vietnam’s borders and the abuse of amphetamine-type stimulants among the country’s youth. Therefore, all people should help them learn about potential harms when abusing these substances, she said.
In 2012, Vietnam joined the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children.-VNA
