Transformating border areas and maintaining safe "green zones
In densely populated areas or at gateways, drug prevention and control work always faces many difficulties. In Chanh Hung ward, the "People's Patrol Group" model was established to build a drug-free area.
Mr. Pham Quang Tu - Chairman of Chanh Hung Ward People's Committee said that the ward is more than 4.6 km2 wide, with a population of about 221,000 people, of which more than 34% are temporary residents. The area is large, with many boarding houses and apartments, bordering the central area, so it is easily exploited by bad actors.
In 2025, the ward discovered 76 cases with 169 people related to drugs, seized more than 300g of drugs of all kinds; transferred to higher levels to prosecute 7 cases with 11 defendants. Currently, the ward manages 146 addicts and 116 people after detoxification.
Chanh Hung ward has distributed more than 44,000 leaflets and hung propaganda boards in 85 neighborhoods. However, population fluctuations are great, and livelihood support is still limited, causing security and order to still be potentially complicated.
In the coming time, the ward will coordinate with PC04 to conduct a general review and mobilize people to denounce crimes through social networks. The "People's Patrol Group" of 25 members will conduct closed patrols and supervise high-risk points to promptly handle violations.
Mr. Nguyen Van Lam, a resident of Chanh Hung ward, said that recently security and order have been strengthened, and functional forces regularly patrol and control, so people are more assured in daily life and business.
In Tan Son Nhat ward, maintaining the "Phward without drugs" has achieved many positive results.
According to Mr. Doan Van Du - Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of Tan Son Nhat Ward People's Committee, the ward is 3.19 km2 wide, has more than 81,000 people, located at the gateway connecting Tan Son Nhat airport to the center. The area concentrates many large warehouses and more than 1,500 foreigners staying every day, posing a potential risk of being exploited for transporting, storing, and trading drugs.
Faced with that situation, the Steering Committee 26 of Tan Son Nhat ward has synchronously implemented many solutions, mobilizing the entire political system to participate in building a "Phward without drugs".
In 2025, the locality organized 350 propaganda sessions for 30,000 people, distributed 10,000 leaflets, hung banners in 33 neighborhoods and posted 500 news articles on social networks.
The ward also strictly manages addicts, people who use illegal drugs, and people after detoxification; and at the same time supports capital and creates jobs to help them reintegrate into the community.
From August 24, 2025 to the end of 2025, the area will not have any drug crime cases, no illegal drug use dens or wanted fugitives.
Bringing the visual model of drug prevention and control into schools
Besides transforming residential areas, drug prevention from schools is also focused on by Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City Police coordinate with the People's Committee and Tan Son Hoa Ward Police to implement the "Drug Prevention and Control Education Point" model at Nguyen Thanh Tuyen Elementary School.
The model uses visual images, simulating drug types with easy-to-understand notes, helping students identify sophisticated forms of hiding. The police force also directly guides and explains the tricks of bad actors to raise their vigilance.
Lieutenant Colonel Phan Huy Van - Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Police said that drug crime is currently developing complicatedly, many types of synthetic drugs are sophisticatedly disguised as confectionery and drinks to attract young people.
Therefore, propaganda and visual education in schools are fundamental solutions to help students recognize seduction tricks early and raise awareness of proactively preventing drugs.
From mid-June 2026, Binh Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City will deploy 60 "Self-management groups for drug prevention" associated with the "3 no - 3 yes" model.
The "3 no's" include: Not storing, using, or illegally trading drugs; not allowing the emergence of complex hotspots in residential areas; not being indifferent or silent about violations.
The "3 yes" includes: Having self-management groups to propagate to each household; having education and management of children in the family and the use of social networks; having support for people after detoxification to reintegrate into the community.
The model applies digital technology through QR codes and separate links for each group, helping people sign commitments online. The ward sets a target to mobilize 100% of households in 53 neighborhoods, along with officials, civil servants, public employees, and workers in agencies and businesses to participate in signing drug prevention and control agreements.
