COUNTRY PROGRESS REPORT OF VIETNAM

Transcription

1 ASEAN INTER-PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY THE 12TH MEETING OF THE AIPA FACT-FINDING COMMITTEE (AIFOCOM) TO COMBAT THE DRUG MENACE Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, on 7-11 June 2015 COUNTRY PROGRESS REPORT OF VIETNAM 1

2 General situation - The production, trafficking and transport of synthetic drugs and psychotropic substances are increasing in most countries. - The consumption of synthetic drugs and psychotropic substances in Asian and Southeast Asian markets is growing in complexity. - Narcotics in Asia come mainly from Africa, Latin America, the Middle East via transit through Cambodia, the Philippines, Vietnam and China etc., transported by West African, Middle Eastern or Chinese international gangs. However, the bulk of this trade is being manufactured in Myanmar and China. 2

3 Rehabilitation policies and legislations - Ordinance No. 09/2014/UBTVQH13 of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on review procedures, decisions to apply administrative remedies at People's Courts (2014) regulates in more detail the procedures leading to the decision to remand drug users to compulsory detox centers; - Resolution No. 77/2014/QH13 of National Assembly on the socioeconomic development plan for 2015 (2014) details the remand of drug users without fixed addresses in compulsory detox centers by the Court while their case is being built. - Resolution No. 98/NQ-CP of the Government (2014) on strengthening guidance related to the drug prevention, control and rehabilitation in the new situation. - Ministries and agencies have also introduced many additional policies to strengthen prevention and combat against drug-related crimes. 3

4 Drug users - Total number of drug users: 204,377; an increase of 22,981 (12.14%) compared to 2013 (181,396). + 63% are living among the general populace; + 17% in rehabilitation centers; + Over 1% in post-detox management centers and nearly 20% in detention centers and camps, educational institutions and reformatories. - The drug user composition is diverse, including students, models, athletes, intellectuals. Over 70% are of working age (18-35) and about 1% are under The use of synthetic drugs is rapidly growing (80% uses heroin, 11% synthetic drugs, etc.), and there is a clear growing trend of substituting heroin use with synthetic drugs use in a number of localities in the Southern provinces. 4

5 Rehabilitation and recovery - 25,606 drug users are detoxing in Centers and the community. - 23,400 drug users are monitored, sponsored post-detox. - Mthadone Programme is currently provided in 43 provinces and cities throughout the country at 161 centers, treating over 29,278 patients. Vietnam expects that about 80,000 patients will have received methadone treatment by the end of

6 Drug-related crimes - Drug-related crimes and evils in Vietnam remain complex. The transport modes are varied and sophisticated including by land, sea and air. - Most individuals involved in large-scale drug trafficking and transport rings are armed and put up heavy resistance when discovered, pursued or arrested. - Criminals frequently change tactics and operational behaviors, becoming more sophisticated, cunning to deal with the authorities. Drugs are disguised as food, cosmetics or pharmaceuticals while in transit. - Synthetic drugs trafficking and transporting, particularly the crystallized (rock) form has increased by nearly 200% year on year. - Collusion between drug-related criminals and criminals involved in other illicit activities is seeing an increase, leading to wider areas of operation: cross-border and even transnational. 6

7 Combat against drug-related crimes - In 2014, the authorities detected 21,619 drug-related cases and arrested 31,551 individuals involved (increase of 413 cases against 2013); seized 922 kg of heroin; 32 kg of opium; 442 kg of cannabis; 352 kg and 297,285 pills of synthetic drugs; 42.6 kg of cocaine and multiple other assets. - The courts heard 14,723 cases charged against 19,178 defendants (trying 95% of cases and 93.2% of defendants), many were sentenced to capital punishment or life imprisonment (of which nearly 4,000 cases were priority cases point and circuit Court). 7

8 Communication and education - Communications activities were more substantive: less formalities, more focus on content, more in-depth discussions about the harmful effects of synthetic drugs and organization of core communicators. - Educational activities focused on youths: teenagers and students vulnerable to the dangers of synthetic drugs, particularly drugs in "crystal" form and preventive measures. 8

9 Vietnam's National Assembly activities - Monitored law enforcement activities regarding prevention of drugs in Ministries at the Central level, at a number of detention centers and detox centers. - Hearing on prevention against drug and drug-related crimes and rehabilitation concerning drug abuse and alternative treatments. - Discussed and coordinated with experts and researchers on measures to promote effective alternative treatment. - Discussed with NGOs, research institutions and communities to strengthen the public-private partnership process, sharing of the state's responsibilities regarding prevention against drugs, drug-related crimes, rehabilitation and alternative treatment. - Cooperated with international organizations, UN agencies to raise awareness, share experiences on developing and implementing policies and laws on prevention against drugs and related matters. 9

10 Recommendations - AIPA should consider mechanisms for better, more effective information sharing between member countries. - Revamp AIFOCOM Meetings to become more substantive, such as through increased participation of government agencies; periodic biennial meetings; short and concise AIFOCOM Resolutions with assessment tools, focus on improvements to and harmonization of the legal system of each AIPA member country. - Integrate AIFOCOM contents into the Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU) agenda. 10