Decision No. 139/1998/QD-TTg Approving the Action Program on Prevention and Control of Narcotics 1998-2000

DECISION OF THE PRIME MINISTER

Approves the Action Program on Prevention and Control of Narcotics for the Period 1998-2000

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Government Organization Law dated September 30, 1992;

Pursuant to the Decision of the Government Chairman No. 743/TTg dated November 14, 1995 approving the Overall Plan for Prevention, Control, and Supervision of Narcotics for the Period 1996-2000;

Considering the proposal of the Chairman Within 10 working days from the date of receipt of the dossier as mentioned in Sub-clause b, Clause 1, Article 3 above, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will review and submit to the competent authority for decision (Issues exceeding the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' jurisdiction will be referred to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision).The National Steering Committee on Narcotics Prevention and Control at Document No. 60/UBQG dated April 18, 1998 proposing approval of the Action Program on Prevention and Control of Narcotics for the Period 1998-2000,

DECISION:

Article 1. Approves the Action Program on Prevention and Control of Narcotics for the Period 1998-2000 (attached hereto).

Article 2. This Decision shall take effect fifteen days from the date of signature.

Article 3. Chair of the National Steering Committee on Narcotics Prevention and Control, Ministers, Heads of Ministries equivalent to Ministries, Heads of Government Agencies, Chairmen Within 10 working days from the date of receipt of the dossier as mentioned in Sub-clause b, Clause 1, Article 3 above, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will review and submit to the competent authority for decision (Issues exceeding the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' jurisdiction will be referred to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision).of provincial people's committees directly under the central government shall be responsible for implementing this Decision./.

ACTION PROGRAM
PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF NARCOTICS FOR THE PERIOD 1998-2000

(Issued together with Decision No. 139/1998/QĐ-TTg dated July 31, 1998)

To implement the Resolution of the Eighth National Party Congress and the Socio-Economic Development Program for the period 1996-2000; based on the "Overall Plan for Prevention, Control, and Supervision of Narcotics for the Period 1996-2000," the Government Chairman decides to implement the "Action Program on Prevention and Control of Narcotics for the Period 1998-2000" with specific objectives, solutions, and plans as follows:

I. OBJECTIVES

1. Emphasize the principle of prevention as the main approach, raise public awareness to create a broad mass movement, focus on the role of families in preventing and controlling narcotics; organize effective rehabilitation; stop the emergence of new drug addiction problems, reduce gradually (by no less than 50% of current addicts); by the year 2000, basically eliminate drug addiction, especially among students, college students, and young adolescents.

2. Do not allow the re-cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis plants; by the year 2000, basically eliminate remaining areas of opium poppy and cannabis plants in Vietnam.

3. Effectively prevent illegal trafficking and transportation of narcotic substances, strictly manage and supervise precursor chemicals; investigate, uncover, prosecute, and adjudicate drug-related crimes severely. Basically eliminate illegal drug consumption sites.

II. TASKS AND MAIN SOLUTIONS

1. Strengthen education and propaganda work:

a) Develop educational and propaganda plans on prevention and control of narcotics suitable for different target groups and localities.

b) Organize wide-ranging propaganda through mass media and oral propaganda, various cultural and artistic forms to enhance the responsibility of families, schools, agencies, enterprises, sectors, levels, particularly grassroots authorities, changing public perception about the harms of narcotics, creating a nationwide movement condemning this evil. Establish regular columns on prevention and control of narcotics daily or weekly on Vietnam Television, Voice of Vietnam Radio, and newspapers. Form proactive propaganda teams led by the Central Communist Youth Union in collaboration with the Police and related sectors to propagate against narcotics, especially among youth.

c) Enhance direct communication efforts. Incorporate anti-narcotics content into activities of Information Houses, Information Exhibition Centers, mobile information teams, proactive propaganda teams, and clubs. Pay attention to small, light artistic forms such as short plays, sketches, comedy, traditional opera, recitation, satirical cartoons, etc. Consolidate village, town, forest farm, enterprise, unit, and People's Armed Forces radio stations to widely disseminate policies and laws on narcotics prevention and control. Build promotional information clusters in densely populated areas to promptly inform about the harms of narcotics and local anti-narcotics results.

d) Create high-quality artistic works in film, music, painting, and theater on the theme of narcotics prevention and control for widespread dissemination.

e) Integrate narcotics education programs with other targeted programs. Provide material conditions and organize healthy sports and recreational activities to attract youth. Incorporate anti-narcotics education content into school curricula both within and outside regular classes according to training goals at all educational levels. Implement school-based anti-narcotics education projects.

g) Study and compile materials on "Fundamental Issues in Narcotics Prevention and Control" for widespread dissemination among the population.

2. Strictly manage and control precursor chemicals and eradicate the cultivation of narcotic plants.

a) Supplement and strictly enforce regulations on managing legitimate pharmaceutical drugs containing narcotic substances and precursors. Increase the responsibility of health agencies in supervising legitimate narcotic substances. Effectively implement precursor management projects in Vietnam. Strictly control the production, sale, distribution, use, and transportation of pharmaceutical drugs containing psychoactive substances.

b) Respond to the United Nations initiative to abandon illicit opium cultivation and promote alternative crops; continue to mobilize and persuade ethnic minorities in mountainous regions to vigorously develop socio-economic activities, implement economic restructuring, shift production directions, integrate with socio-economic programs and other projects in the same area to replace opium poppies, striving to basically eliminate opium poppies and cannabis cultivation by the year 2000.

c) Direct the effective implementation of international cooperation pilot projects to develop socio-economics and replace opium poppies in key areas of Ky Son district (Nghe An province) and Song Ma district (Son La province).

3. Vigorously combat drug-related crimes.

a) Concentrate forces to detect, investigate, uncover, and prevent organizations involved in drug smuggling. Strengthen coordination between the Police, Customs, Border Guard to strictly control border crossings, ports, airports, territorial waters, national highways, and other drug trafficking routes. Coordinate with international anti-drug agencies to combat international drug smuggling and money laundering.

b) Eradicate illegal drug use sites. In 1998-1999, focus on eradicating drug use sites in cities, towns, and urban areas.

c) Strictly manage the sale, transportation, and use of precursor chemicals and substances that can be used to produce drugs. Prevent the sale and use of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS) particularly among young people.

d) Effectively implement projects to enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies to control drugs under the General Police Department (Ministry of Public Security) and the General Customs Department. Strengthen combat capabilities, modernize equipment and working tools for police, customs, and border guard units in the fight against drugs. Focus on building the Drug Crime Prevention Police Force under the Ministry of Public Security into the main force in combating drug-related crimes in Vietnam.

e) Establish specialized training programs for drug prevention and control personnel at the People's Police Academy and other police academies managed by the Ministry of Public Security to train and develop drug prevention and control staff for public security, customs, border guards, labor, social affairs, etc.

g) Enhance the research and analysis capabilities of forensic laboratories under the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Health through the provision of equipment and training of personnel. Establish a national drug forensic center within the Institute of Criminal Science, Ministry of Public Security.

h) Closely coordinate between the Vietnamese Interpol Office and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and police forces in Southeast Asian countries (ASEANAPOL) regarding information exchange, intelligence gathering, and fugitive apprehension related to drug crimes.

4. Strengthen and improve the effectiveness of drug rehabilitation work.

a) Promote the role of families and social organizations in community-based drug rehabilitation programs, combining drug rehabilitation with the construction of new lives in residential communities. Consolidate drug rehabilitation centers at district and provincial levels, disseminate successful models. Build two regional drug rehabilitation centers under central management; focus on effectively rehabilitating drug-addicted prisoners undergoing reform in detention facilities.

b) Develop and promulgate a unified nationwide drug rehabilitation process. Study and apply effective drug rehabilitation methods and medications; improve the quality of medical examinations and treatments for drug users at healthcare facilities and in community settings.

c) Continue implementing Plan No. 1413/LN dated October 15, 1996, of the Joint Sector: Ministry of Interior - Ministry of Education and Training - Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs - Ministry of Health - Central Youth Union of Ho Chi Minh Communist Party - Vietnam Women's Union on "coordinated sectoral efforts to prevent and combat drug addiction among students, young adults, and teenagers" to eliminate drug addiction among students, young adults, and teenagers by the year 2000. In 1998-1999, focus on reducing this problem in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and major cities.

5. Develop and perfect the legal system for drug prevention and control.

Perfect the legal system for drug prevention and control, focusing on completing the Drug Control Law project to submit to the National Assembly in 2000; supplementing and amending the Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Investigation Organization Decree, Administrative Violation Handling Decree, etc. During this process, attention should be paid to compatibility with international conventions.

6. Strengthen international cooperation in drug prevention and control.

a) Negotiate and sign cooperation agreements on drug prevention and control with countries, primarily with neighboring countries such as Cambodia, Laos, China, ASEAN countries, East Asia, the United States, and Europe.

b) Effectively implement drug prevention and control projects among the six East Asian countries (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand).

c) Strengthen cooperation with the United Nations International Drug Control Program (UNDCP), the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), and other international organizations in drug prevention and control work.

d) Fulfill international cooperation obligations in accordance with the spirit of the three 1961, 1971, and 1988 United Nations Conventions on drug prevention and control.

Organize visits, study tours, and experience exchanges with other countries, participate in international conferences and seminars on drug prevention and control to enhance the competence of personnel and the effectiveness of drug prevention and control work in Vietnam.

III. ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES

1. The National Committee for Drug Prevention and Control.

The National Committee for Drug Prevention and Control assists the Government in guiding, inspecting, and urging the implementation of legislative acts of the National Assembly, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Government, and the Prime Minister concerning drug prevention and control work; organizing coordination among ministries, sectors, and localities in drug prevention and control work; and commendation activities for drug prevention and control work. The Office of the National Committee for Drug Prevention and Control is responsible for assisting the National Committee for Drug Prevention and Control in compiling reports on drug prevention and control and supervision, developing long-term and short-term comprehensive plans for drug prevention and control work; preparing inspection plans for submission to the National Committee; managing state budget funds allocated for drug prevention and control work. It serves as the focal point for international relations in drug prevention and control work.

2. Ministry of Public Security

Take the lead in coordinating with customs and border guard forces in combating drug-related crimes. Direct the People's Police to concentrate on fighting drug-related crimes. Organize criminal forensic laboratories for drug analysis uniformly from central to local levels. Coordinate and support ministries and sectors in drug prevention and control work. Coordinate with police and anti-drug forces of other countries in combating international drug crimes. Organize drug rehabilitation for drug-addicted prisoners being processed in detention facilities under the management of the Ministry of Public Security.

3. Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs

Direct and unify the management of provincial-level drug rehabilitation centers; organize education, vocational training, job creation, and community reintegration for individuals who have completed drug rehabilitation. Develop plans for regional drug rehabilitation centers managed by the central government. Direct the implementation of drug rehabilitation projects.

4. The National Ethnic Minorities Committee.

Take the lead in coordinating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and relevant ministries and agencies, provincial People's Committees, and city People's Committees in directing, guiding, and inspecting the replacement of opium and cannabis plants with economic crops in line with each locality’s socio-economic development programs; study and propose mechanisms and policies to support mountainous ethnic groups in restructuring production in areas where opium cultivation has been eradicated. Lead the implementation of opium replacement projects, coordinate with the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs to direct anti-drug addiction work in mountainous regions and among ethnic minorities.

15. Ministry of Construction.

Direct research and manage the production of drug rehabilitation medications and methods of drug rehabilitation; organize medical examinations and treatments for drug addicts at treatment facilities or within communities; manage and control the use of opium and other addictive substances in production and scientific research according to state regulations. Lead the implementation of precursor substance management projects, projects on reducing demand for drugs, and HIV/AIDS prevention and control in communities.

6. The Ministry of Education and Training

Direct the inclusion of drug prevention and control education content into school curricula; take the lead in promoting drug prevention and control education among students and pupils. Lead the implementation of drug prevention and control education projects in schools.

7. The Ministry of Culture and Information

Direct the unified supervision and inspection of agencies and mass organizations engaged in information dissemination, propaganda, and broad education among various social strata about the harms of drugs and measures to prevent and control drug abuse. 8. The Ministry of Finance

Coordinate with the National Steering Committee on Drug Prevention and Control to ensure adequate and timely funding from the state budget annually for relevant ministries, sectors, and localities; coordinate in inspecting, supervising, and settling accounts for funds according to current state regulations.

9. The Ministry of Planning and Investment

Coordinate with the National Steering Committee on Drug Prevention and Control to allocate annual budgets for drug prevention and control activities; mobilize domestic and international resources to serve these activities; coordinate in allocating and managing drug prevention and control projects.

10. The General Customs Department.

Coordinate with the People's Public Security Forces, Border Guard Forces to direct the control and prevention of illegal drug trafficking into Vietnam and out of Vietnam.

11. The Ministry of National Defense

Direct the People's Army, particularly the Border Guard, to cooperate with the People's Public Security Forces, Customs, and other sectors in drug prevention and control work.

12. Ministry of Justice

Coordinate with relevant ministries, sectors, localities, and social organizations to perfect the legal framework for drug prevention and control; participate in drafting the Law on Drug Prevention and Control; organize legal education on drug prevention and control.

13. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Coordinate with member ministries and sectors of the National Steering Committee on Drug Prevention and Control to enhance international cooperation in drug prevention and control.

14. The National Committee for Child Protection and Care

Coordinate with relevant ministries, sectors, and mass organizations to organize the prevention and control of drug abuse among children.

15. Request the Supreme People's Procuracy and the Supreme People's Court to strengthen their direction of prosecution and trial of drug-related cases.

16. Request the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the General Confederation of Labor Vietnam, the Central Youth Union of Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth, the Central Women's Union of Vietnam, the Association of War Veterans of Vietnam, the Farmers' Association of Vietnam, etc., to strengthen the organization and direction of their affiliated organizations; coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to organize drug prevention and control education in the community among workers, civil servants, students, and families; integrate drug prevention and control education with prostitution prevention and control and HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

17. Provincial and municipal People's Committees directly under the central government shall be responsible for directing the implementation of drug prevention, control, and monitoring work in their respective localities.

IV. IMPLEMENTATION

1. Strengthen the leadership and management of drug prevention and control activities.

a) Enhance the leadership role of the National Steering Committee on Drug Prevention and Control. Establish a Management Information System (MIS) to assist the National Steering Committee on Drug Prevention and Control in coordinating, supervising, and implementing drug prevention and control programs.

b) Enhance the capacity of the National Steering Committee on Drug Prevention and Control Office to collect and analyze data on drugs and related activities.

Publish the "Drug Prevention and Control" magazine as an information and guidance organ for drug prevention and control work of the National Steering Committee on Drug Prevention and Control.

2. Perfect the organizational system for drug prevention and control work at all levels and sectors:

a) The Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defense, and the General Customs Department focus on building and gradually modernizing equipment and means for units under their jurisdiction engaged in combating drug-related crimes; the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs consolidate drug rehabilitation facilities to meet ASEAN standards by the year 2000.

b) Ministries, agencies equivalent to ministries, government agencies, mass organizations, and social organizations with many activities related to drug prevention and control shall establish a Drug Prevention and Control Steering Committee chaired by a Deputy Minister (or equivalent). There should be dedicated staff assisting the committee within the ministry or sector's establishment.

c) The Social Evil Prevention and Control Steering Committee of provinces and centrally-run cities shall be headed by the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the People's Committee, with the task of preventing and controlling drug abuse being the main focus. The Director of Public Security shall serve as the Deputy Head in charge of drug prevention and control, and members shall include representatives from relevant sectors and mass organizations such as the National Steering Committee for Drug Prevention and Control at the central level. The permanent office shall be located within the provincial Public Security agency, assisted by a number of dedicated staff from the provincial Public Security agency's establishment and some concurrently serving staff from the member agencies.

d) Districts, counties, towns, and cities under provinces shall establish a Social Evil Prevention and Control Steering Committee headed by the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the People's Committee, with the County or District Public Security Chief serving as the Deputy Head in charge of drug prevention and control. The permanent office of the Steering Committee shall be located within the Strategic Planning and Coordination Team of the District Public Security agency, assisted by a number of dedicated staff from the county or district Public Security agency's establishment and some concurrently serving staff from the member agencies' establishments.

e) AT Communes, wards, and towns that have established a Social Evil Prevention and Control Steering Committee shall be headed by the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the People's Committee, with the Ward or Commune Public Security Chief serving as the Deputy Head in charge of drug prevention and control, and assisted by some concurrently serving Public Security staff from the ward or commune.

The functions, tasks, and authorities of drug prevention and control agencies at all levels shall be implemented according to the guidance of the National Steering Committee for Drug Prevention and Control, directed by the Heads of sectors and Chairmen of People's Committees at all levels.

3. Funding for drug prevention and control.

Continue implementing Point 4 of Article 1 of Decision No. 743/TTg dated November 14, 1995 of the Prime Minister on "Approving the Comprehensive Plan for Preventing, Controlling, and Supervising Drugs for the 1996-2000 period," and based on the work of drug prevention and control, the Government will submit to the National Assembly for decision on annual funding from the State budget for drug prevention and control activities.

The National Steering Committee for Drug Prevention and Control, Ministries, sectors, and People's Committees at all levels shall intensify socialization of this work, directing the mobilization of additional funds from both domestic and foreign sources into drug prevention and control activities.

The National Steering Committee for Drug Prevention and Control and the Ministry of Finance shall issue a joint Circular on managing funding for drug prevention and control. The National Steering Committee for Drug Prevention and Control shall develop specific quarterly work programs to implement this program.

Ministries, sectors, and People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities shall base their development of their own drug prevention and control work programs on this Action Program and promptly report to the Chairman of the National Steering Committee./.