Drug addicts given vocational training. Photo: phapluatvn.vn

Over the past five years, Ho Chi Minh City has allocated 1.5 trillion VND for nearly 20 detoxification and drug user education centres in the city.

The information was announced during a meeting on carrying out the plan for drug prevention until 2020, with an orientation until 2030, and the program on the prevention of prostitution from 2011 to 2015 in the city.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, in 2011 and the first six months of 2012 authorized forces uncovered 2,500 cases of drug trafficking, seizing 4,743 traffickers, reclaiming 16.99 kilograms of heroin, 128.774 kilograms of cocaine, 1.012 kilograms of opium, 2.1 kilograms of marijuana, and 31,635 general drug tablets.

As of June 2012, Ho Chi Minh City had over 9,000 drug addicts undergoing treatment in different centres. There are currently 5 detoxification centres using Methadone to treat 1,299 patients in the city.

According to Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Chairman Le Hoang Quan, over the past five years, the city has invested nearly 2.5 trillion VND in the prevention of drug use and prostitution, including 1.5 trillion VND in the facilities of nearly 20 detoxification and education centres.

The city aims to reduce the number of drug addicts by at least 30-40%, with 100% of drug addicts discovered and managed, including 90% treated and given vocational training./.