UNDCP officer says Vietnam serious in drug fight
Ha Noi, May 9 (VNA)-- A programme officer of the United Nations Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) in Ha Noi has appreciated Viet Nam's achievements in drug control that, therefore, the country deserved more international help.
Pev Vogel was addressing a UNDCP-sponsored regional conference on drug control on May 8 in Yuangon, Myanmar, which was participated by Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and China besides the host country.
Pev Vogel said Viet Nam has efficiently fought drug crime in recent years.
The country has made serious efforts and really recorded considerable achievements in the fight, the UNDCP officer said.
He also called on the international community to increase support to Viet Nam in intensifying the fight against the trafficking in and use of illicit drug.
Viet Nam's narcotic squad has detected 30,360 drug-related cases and arrested 60,735 offenders in the last three years. They seized 163.69 kg of heroin, 1,862 kg of oppium and 2,290 kg of marijuna, a recent seminar in Ha Noi was reported.
Courts have so far announced 158 death sentences and 177 life sentences on drug-related crimes.
Of the more than 76,000 drug addicts helped to drop off habits in the 1998-2000 period, a 64-percent increase over the previous three years, 8,600 were given vocational training and got jobs.
Regional cooperation and measures against cross-border trafficking in the illicit drug are central to the four-day Yuangon seminar's agenda.
The Vietnamese delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Public Security Le The Tiem.--VNA
