ĐÀ NẴNG — Việt Nam has been fighting against the increasing drug supply from the ‘Golden Triangle’ and global drug trafficking activities in the Asia-Pacific, setting up a tough job for the country to curb drug crime, trans-national drug criminals and drug trafficking rings.
Head of the Counter Narcotics Police Department Lieutenant General Nguyễn Văn Viện spoke at the opening ceremony of the Asia Pacific International Drug Enforcement Conference in Đà Nẵng City.
Viện said Việt Nam placed top priority on preventing drug trafficking and drug use by setting up early warnings and barriers including education, post drug addiction programmes, as well as strict control and surveillance on illegal drug trafficking.
“Việt Nam strongly emphasised crucial attacks on drug crime and drug-related activities. We have been pursuing a target of building a free-drug zone of trans-national drug trafficking and zero-drug user community,” Viện said.
“The country has been changing in education reform and effective communications to protect young generations from drug addiction at families, schools, working places and the public,” he said.
“The Counter Narcotics Police Department of Việt Nam positively boosted co-operation with ASEAN countries, trans-border crossing nations, and members of the Greater Mekong Sub-region, extending information sharing networks with countries members in Asia Pacific.”
He warned that mass drug transport from the ‘Golden Triangle’ into Việt Nam would then be trafficked to other countries in the region.
“I think all members would agree with our view on the importance of early preventive solutions on drug trafficking and trade. We have to boost co-operation and sharing with responsibility in blocking drug transport and the negative impacts of drugs on the society.”
The Lieutenant General also highly appreciated the experience and technology applications in drug prevention that the US and developed countries in the region have effectively used.
He hoped the US and partners would help Việt Nam and other countries improve their capacity with training, equipment support and experience sharing.
He said it’s the second time Việt Nam and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has jointly organised the conference, strongly confirmed their determination in the fight against drugs and building a free-drug community.
The US Consul General in HCM City, Susan Burns, stressed that co-operation is a key for all member countries in prevention of drug trafficking, drug crime organisations and production of illicit chemicals.
