On April 14, in Can Tho, the Ministry of Public Security organized a conference to review the work of drug prevention and control in 8 provinces in the Southern region.
Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Long - Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Minister of Public Security chaired the conference.
From September 15, 2025 to April 14, 2026, the Police of 8 southern provinces and cities have detected and fought more than 6,500 cases, arrested more than 14,200 subjects related to drugs; reviewed and newly discovered more than 32,000 people using illegal drugs, addicts and people being managed after detoxification, raising the total number of these subjects to more than 70,000 people.
International cooperation and coordination between forces continue to be maintained effectively; strictly control border routes and key traffic routes, contributing to preventing drug smuggling from outside into the country.
To date, 5 localities including An Giang, Ca Mau, Dong Thap, Tay Ninh and Ho Chi Minh City have registered to implement the goal of building a drug-free area.
Speaking to direct at the conference, Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Long affirmed that building "drug-free communes and wards" is a key task, which has decisive significance in reducing crime; to fundamentally solve crime, it is necessary to focus on eliminating the "source of demand" for drug consumption, so it is necessary to manage addicts, illegal drug users and post-rehabilitation managers well.
To improve the effectiveness of work in the coming time, the Deputy Minister requested the Police of units and localities to continue to unify awareness and practically implement solutions to build drug-free areas, towards building drug-free provinces and cities;
Strictly implement the plans and themes of the Ministry of Public Security, including Plan 483 of the Ministry of Public Security on peak general review, detection, statistics, management of drug addicts, illegal drug users, people managed after detoxification and fighting and eliminating complex drug hotspots and spots.
Promote the fight against drug crimes in cyberspace; improve the quality of investigation and handling of cases, including absentee trials for fugitives.
Along with that, strengthen management and detoxification; leaders of local police regularly inspect and tighten discipline and order at detoxification facilities. Pay attention to regimes and policies for forces working in drug prevention and control, ensuring officers and soldiers are assured in their work.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Long also assigned professional units under the Ministry of Public Security to promote the core role: The Drug Crime Investigation Police Force should play a good role in advising, guiding, and inspecting; building and effectively implementing the National Target Program on Drug Prevention and Control, the Law on Drug Prevention and Control; the Traffic Police force should strengthen control and handle cases of drivers testing positive for drugs.
