Vietnam and 12 countries strengthen cooperation in drug crime prevention and control

	Transnational drug crime remains complicated
	Effective in advising against drug crimes
	Drug Enforcement Team, Hanoi Customs Department: Stopping drug trafficking by air

Major General Nguyen Van Vien (seated row, 6th from the left) and delegates in the Conference. Photo: C04.

Drugs are a global problem

Mini IDEC Conference organized by DEA Far East Regional Office. Attending the conference were 80 delegates from 13 countries including Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, New Zealand, China, Singapore, Japan, Korea, and the United States.

This year's Mini IDEC conference focused on 4 main topics: effective precursor management, prevention of precursor loss for synthetic drug production; combat transnational organized crime; preventing and combating money laundering from illegal drug trafficking, and combating organized crime networks in Mexico.

According to Mr. John P. Scott, Director of the DEA Far East region, the drug is a global problem, and fighting drug crime is the common responsibility of countries around the world and the region. Therefore, countries need to show their role in fighting drug crimes, and actively exchange and share information with countries and partners in the region.

Mr. John P.Scott added DEA is committed to sharing responsibility and supporting law enforcement around the world in tackling the drug problem by sponsoring training courses to enhance the capacity of drug prevention and control for officers in terms of techniques, tactics, combat, first aid, etc; sponsoring equipment and means for drug prevention and combat.

At the conference, Major General Nguyen Van Vien shared the situation and results of Vietnam's drug prevention and control work and proposed cooperation in the coming time.

Major General Nguyen Van Vien emphasized that the world and the region are facing complicated developments of illegal production, trading, transportation, and abuse of drugs.

From 2010 to now, the number of drug users in the world has continuously increased and shows no sign of decreasing. The global opium cultivation area is also much larger today than it was a decade ago.

New amphetamine-type stimulants and psychotropic substances appear more and more with complex variations, are difficult to control, and continue to challenge efforts of drug prevention and control forces in countries around the world, threatening the security, health, and well-being of everyone, especially young people.

This is a big challenge for the world in general and the region in particular in solving this problem.

Vietnam fiercely struggles with drug crimes

In the face of the world's common challenge of the drug problem, the Government of Vietnam pays attention and directs fiercely.

Vietnam has set out a National Strategy on Drug Prevention and Control with a vision to 2030 and over the years Vietnam has achieved remarkable results.

That is, maintaining and promoting bilateral and multilateral cooperation with law enforcement forces of countries in the region, especially countries sharing borders.

Capacity building for Vietnam's drug prevention and control law enforcement force with the support of international partners, especially the DEA.

To step up the control and prevention of precursor loss; actively participate in multilateral forums on drug prevention and control in the region and around the world.

Regarding the fight against drug crimes, Vietnam has deployed peak waves to attack and suppress criminals on key routes and areas, especially in border areas, border gates, and seaports.

In addition, Vietnam has mobilized the participation of the whole society, created the synergy of the whole political system in drug prevention and control through campaigns, and launched the movement of all people to participate in the protection of security and safety.

“Drugs are a global problem, so to prevent crime and drug abuse needs the cooperation and cooperation of countries. The position of the Party, State, and Government of Vietnam is to resolutely suppress and have zero tolerance for drug crimes,'' Major General Nguyen Van Vien emphasized.